Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive - implementation & issues

What is WEEE?

equipment dependent on electrical currents or electromagnetic fields (< 1,000V ac or 1,500V dc) falling into 10 categories, including:

large & small Household;

IT and Telecommunications;

lighting equipment;

electrical and electronic tools;

toys leisure & sports

Who does the Directive apply to?

Businesses who:

manufacture

brand, or

import

EEE within the EU

Also businesses who:

sell electrical items

store, treat or dismantle WEEE

WEEE Directive - key features

all separately collected WEEE to be treated;

all treatment sites to be regulated;

manufacturers to fund treatment / recycling;

manufacturer’s to mark EEE goods to discourage general disposal;

separate arrangements for non-household WEEE

The Environment Agency’s likely role

registration of producers and compliance schemes;

permitting of treatment facilities in England and Wales;

regulating the export of equipment, components and materials that are waste;

verification of recycling rates;

enforcement

Evidence from producers

evidence that separately collected WEEE for which they are responsible has been fully treated (Article 6)

Treatment and recycling overseas

nothing in the WEEE Directive prevents this; however, exports must comply with TFS requirements;

recovery/recycling can only count against recovery targets if the exporter can prove that the recovery, reuse and/or recycling operation took place under

conditions that are equivalent to the requirements of the WEEE Directive

Treatment guidance

draft guidance has been prepared by the Environment Agency and SEPA;

final guidance will accompany the WEEE Permitting Regulations

UK implementation

revised timetable published by the Dti in March:

product marking from 13 August 2005

‘take-back’ and producer responsibility delayed until January 2006

short consultation on the environment agencies’ fees (and responsibilities) in respect of the producer responsibility recently closed;

consultation on WEEE Permitting closed on 19 August: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/weee-article6/index.htm

The Welsh Assembly Government (WAG)

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