Once finalised, the standard will provide voluntary guidelines for processing e-waste.

Environment Minister Nick Smith says it makes sense to have a joint standard because of Australia and New Zealand's shared markets for the ICT, television and e-waste recycling sectors.

"The main issue facing a small country like New Zealand is economies of scale," he says. "E-waste recycling is one example where large volumes are required to make it economically viable."

He says the draft standard references Ministry for the Environment guidance for dealing with e-waste that was released last year.

Submissions on the draft standard can be made at . They close on May 15.