TCRA has observed an increase in the usage of electronic communication applications and services worldwide resulting in a significant increase in electronic communication equipment and waste thereof. The hazardous components of electronic communication equipment waste have adverse impacts on the environment and human health if not properly managed. The rapidly increasing volume of discarded electronic communication equipment is posing a serious threat to the environment and human health.

Tanzania is a party to the United Nations' Basel Convention, whose overall purpose is to safeguard human health and the environment from the negative impacts of transboundary movements and hazardous waste management, including electronic waste. in carrying out its task of protecting communication consumers' interests, especially their safety while using electronic equipment, TCRA entered into a contract with M/S Bureau Veritas Tanzania Limited to carry out inspection processes in the country of export and facilitate the collection of an advance eco-levy for all electronic communications equipment imported into the United Republic of Tanzania. The eco-levy programme officially began on May 23, 2023.

Equipment manufacturers and overseas suppliers of electronic communications equipment are obliged to ensure that electronic communications equipment that are imported into Tanzania complies with the requirements of Regulation 17(1)(a) of the Electronic and Postal Communications (Communications Equipment Standard and E­ Waste Management) Regulations, 2020, and the implementation of the eco-levy program.