Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive

After multiple false starts, as of 1 July, the new Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations are intended to ensure that major producers, rebranders and importers of household electrical and electronic equipment are signed up to pay for the responsible disposal and recycling of their goods.

The European WEEE Directive was first ratified by European ministers in 2003, and was eventually meant to meant to pass into UK law in August 2006. Delays, however, by the Department for Trade and Industry held it back. And although the WEEE legislation finally came into effect 2 January, those affected have had until the beginning of July to ensure they're fully compliant...

We bring together resources from Electronics Weekly and UK and EU governmental bodies to provide detailed reference information about Directive 2002/96/EC, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment.

ELECTRONICS WEEKLY NEWS

Previous news stories to note

RS signs up to WEEE compliance scheme
RS Components is the latest big name distributor to sign up to a compliance scheme in accordance with the UK government's WEEE Regulations.

Environment Agency says sign up for WEEE now
Companies should get registered with a compliance scheme as soon as possible if they are still an unregistered WEEE producer, says the Environment Agency.

DTI publishes WEEE recycling guide book on web
The DTI has published its long-awaited advice on the implementation in the UK of the European WEEE Directive, which tells firms how they must manage their electrical waste by supporting recycling of products.

Business needs to know about WEEE Directive
After years of delay and a plethora of government consultations, the WEEE (electrical and electronic waste) Directive has finally arrived in the UK.

RoHS crackdown is working in the UK
The majority of UK firms are complying with the RoHS Directive and firms have so far escaped prosecutions, but only just in some cases.

Firms must act to meet WEEE compliance deadline
The Environment Agency has reminded companies which produce electrical and electronic equipment to register in order to comply with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations.

WEEE legislation vague, advice conflicting
Conflicting advice, vague legislation and a lack of compliance schemes. That is the reality of WEEE, the electrical waste legislation, in the UK, according to law firm Eversheds.

UK government publishes rules for WEEE directive
The UK Government has published its rules surrounding the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations, which will come into force in July 2007.

Lead-free revolution hits defence R&D
Despite the best intentions of legislators, Europe’s defence industry must respond to the challenges imposed by the economic realities of the global drive toward lead-free electronics.

Recycling body warns firms to act on WEEE rules
Thousands of UK manufacturers need to act to ensure they comply with WEEE rules on recycling electrical waste, due to come into force next summer.

ELECTRONICS WEEKLY "DIRECTIVE DECODER" BLOG

WEEE Directive - Live in the UK
With everything else going on in the UK, it is worth noting that the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) came into force on July 1st.

Legislation driving design best practice
New EU legislation is affecting the design of new electrical and electronic equipment in a variety of ways.

WEEE Regulations Encourage More Recycling
After multiple false starts, as of July 1st, the new Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations will ensure that major producers, rebranders and importers of household electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) are signed up to pay for the responsible disposal and recycling of their goods.

Grey Area Products - Power Supplies
I'm often asked about Power Supplies and their RoHS status. As finished goods these do not seem to fit any of the WEEE categories and would be deemed out of scope.

RoHS Review - Invitation To Comment
The EC has started its first review of RoHS with an invitation to stakeholders to comment on certain key topics.

UK GOVERNMENT INFORMATION

EC Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)

WEEE regulations: Government guidance notes (PDF)

Code of Practice for collection of WEEE from designated collection facilities (PDF)

WEEE in the EU

WEEE in the UK

EU INFORMATION

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment

EU greenhouse gas emissions decrease in 2005

OTHER RESOURCES

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (Wikipedia)

WEEE Forum (WEEE Forum)

What is the WEEE directive, and do I need to care? (The Guradian)