China's State Council, or Cabinet, announced on Wednesday a regulation, signed by Premier Wen Jiabao, on the disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment, in a bid to promote recycling, environmental protection and safeguard human health.

Treatment will be done only by treatment firms, which get a license from local governments, said the regulation which will take effect on January 1, 2011.

A fund, paid for by domestic producers and sellers of imported electrical and electronic equipment, will offer subsidies for treatment.

The regulation outlines the government's backing for scientific research and technology development on disposal as well as the use of new equipment and technology. It also bans the use of out-dated treatment methods for waste equipment.

Since 2003, more than five million TV sets, four million fridges, six million washing machines and five million computers have needed treatment each year, said the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission.

(Xinhua News Agency March 5, 2009)