Directive Decoder

The UK's WEEE Directive is now, finally, up and running, with obligated "Producers" required to sign up to a compliance scheme by March 15th 2007.
The legislation requires the Producers - defined as the manufacturers, re-branders and / or importers of electrical equipment - to pay for the recovery and recycling of electrical items at their end-of-life and to ensure recycling targets are met from July 1st 2007. A compliance scheme can help them do this.

Data has to be submitted via the scheme that the Producer joins, pertaining to the weight of electrical items placed on the market in calendar year 2006. This is due by 15th March 2007.
All products placed on the market after April 1st 2007 have to be labelled with the crossed out wheelie bin symbol and company identifier.

So, how much does this cost?
Well, first of all the cost of joining any scheme, then the Environment Agency fee of:
£30 for non-VAT registered companies
£220 for VAT registered companies with a turnover of up to £1 million
£445 for VAT registered companies with a turnover in excess of £1million

So which scheme's could be considered?
For those with obligations in the business-to-business field (where the final user is a business rather than a householder) the scheme would be such as b2b Compliance.
For Producers with business-to-consumer obligations (where the final user is a householder) then REPIC are a leader in this field.

Carl Kruger, of b2b Compliance, who has addressed AFDEC members a couple of times on the complex subject of the UK WEEE Directive, has kindly agreed to make himself available to answer any last minute questions you may have regarding compliance schemes and / or alternative options.

You can contact Carl at b2b Compliance on ++(0)1691 676 124.

Directive Decoder

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.

Alarmingly, electrical waste is now growing at around three times the rate of general waste. The aim of the regulations is to encourage greater recycling, recovery and reuse, and ultimately divert more used goods away from landfill.

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

To be honest WEEE is a pretty complicated directive. Unlike RoHS, this is categorised as an Article 175 directive meaning that the interpretation, and implementation, may well differ across EU Member States.

I listened to a guest on a BBC Radio 5 current affairs programme on Saturday morning really struggling to get the aims of the directive across to the listener.

The EU WEEE (Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment) Directive requires 10 categories of electrical and electronic equipment to be collected, treated, recycled and disposed of when it reaches end-of-life. The directive sets targets for the percentages of materials that must be recovered and includes a list of parts that have to be removed and then recycled separately. The Directive also includes a requirement that manufacturers design equipment so that it can be easily recycled although this has not yet been translated into national legislation in any EU State.

Recycling is a cost that can be significant and is paid for by the producer (usually the manufacturer or importer). In effect it is a sales cost, as it must be financed when the product is sold. The cost of recycling can be influenced by the design of the equipment although whether the manufacturer can realise these benefits depends on whether they collect and recycle their own equipment at end of life (in which case they can) or if it is collected and recycled by compliance schemes that collect a wide range of products from many producers (where the benefits are more limited).

The number of companies who have registered as Producers in line with the requirements of the WEEE Directive across Europe is not exactly encouraging.

Not surprisingly, Germany lead the way with 17% of the estimated companies registered, followed by the UK at 16% with France and Italy around 8%.

On the other side of the coin, Recycling International Magazine claims that 500 containers of electronic equipment waste are sent to Nigeria every single month with around 45% of them from the EU.

Directive Decoder

The dismantling time for products can vary enormously depending on whether or not they are designed for easy recycling. The overall cost of recycling will depend on many factors including dismantling time and therefore designers should consider what happens to their products at end-of-life.

For example:

• Design components / assemblies that can be easily dismantled into their equipment (PCBs, enclosures, etc.) and those that can be recycled separately and economically

• Removing screws is time consuming whereas plastic clips can be undone more quickly. Use as few screws as possible.

So finally the German courts decided that a high-tech sports shoe does not fall within scope of the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Directive.

Last year the German National Register (Elektro-Altgerate Register – EAR) was challenged by a Producer on the sports shoe, and the matter subsequently went before the courts.

The case in question was whether or not a high-tech sports shoe with an implanted chip was considered to be electronic equipment under WEEE legislation. The chip measures weight distribution when running and makes adjustments in the shoe that, according to the manufacturer, can improve running performance.

The European Commission has delayed the publication of draft regulations reviewing the WEEE and RoHS Directives. Originally planned for September 2008 the guidance will not now be published until November or December.

The WEEE review is expected to contain proposed measures to harmonise national WEEE registration and clarify legal responsibilities.

The RoHS review is likely to propose new substance restrictions and an extension to the scope of products covered by the directive.

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive has faced technical, legal and administrative difficulties since it came into force in 2003.

Following a comprehensive review the European Commission has put forward several proposed amendments to ease the burden on Producers without lowering the level of environmental protection.

Revised WEEE Directive

Directive Decoder

The UK Government has published two stakeholder consultations into the implementation of the WEEE Directive and New Battery Directive.

This is an opportunity for industry to have its say:

WEEE Consultation

Battery Consultation

Directive Decoder

It is estimated that households in the UK throw away about one million tonnes of waste electrical equipment every year.

A new £12 million recycling facility opened by Sims Recycling Solutions in Newport, Gwent can process 100,000 tonnes of electrical waste per year.

Strateco was the first strategic environmental consultancy to specialise in pre-empting and managing clients' obligations under environmental legislation and culture change

Strateco's mix of strong business acumen and its genuine commitment to sustainable and ethical solutions, gives them the rare ability to develop solutions that are both 'green' and financially viable.

Strateco's approach is one of risk minimisation and opportunity enhancement for clients

Strateco focuses on:

• Waste & Recycling Strategies
• Resource Management for sustainability
• Strategic Management for a low carbon economy
• Marketing & PR for Stakeholder buy-in.

Take a look at Strateco...let experts David Burton and Carl Kruger guide your business.

Directive Decoder

The European Union (EU) WEEE Directive (2002/96/EC) was adopted in 2003 and came into force on 13 August 2005 although most EU States were late. However, by 1 January 2008 all EU States had implemented national WEEE legislation. Unfortunately for manufacturers, there are many significant differences between Member States and requirements vary considerably. The WEEE Directive appears to be straightforward having only 19 Articles whereas the much longer EU REACH regulation has 141 Articles. However, implementation of WEEE is very complex because of the different approaches that have been adopted by EU Member States.

The WEEE directive requires 10 categories of electrical equipment to be collected, treated, recycled and disposed of when it reaches end of life. The directive sets targets for the percentages of materials that must be recovered and includes a list (in Annex II) of parts that have to be removed and then recycled separately. The Directive also includes a requirement that manufacturers design equipment so that they can easily be recycled although this has not yet been translated into national legislation in any EU State.

Recycling is a cost that can be significant and is paid for by the producer (usually the manufacturer or importer). In effect it is a sales cost, as it must be financed when the product is sold. The cost of recycling can be influenced by the design of the equipment although whether the manufacturer can realise these benefits depends on whether they collect and recycle their own equipment at end of life (by which they can) or if it is collected and recycled by compliance schemes that collect a wide range of products from many producers (where the benefits are more limited).

Are you looking for a recycler / disposal company to help you and your business, but don't know where to turn?

Research consulting company Oakdene Hollins, experts in economic waste management, re-manufacturing and re-use has put together the attached list of companies that offer a wide range of services and expertise:

Oakdene Hollins recommended list

If you require an accredited service in North America then try the recently formed e-stewards

Directive Decoder

The Environment Agency has approved 33 WEEE Compliance Schemes to operate during the 2010 compliance period.

While there were 38 schemes in 2009 not all of them applied for approval in 2010.

Two major WEEE producer schemes, namely Transform (currently around 200 producer members) and Econo-Weee (400+ members) have failed to win approval and are to appeal in an attempt to reverse the decision.

Directive Decoder

A study published by the European Commission recommends the creation of a dedicated European body to oversee the implementation and enforcement of European Union waste law.

This forms part of a series of steps being taken by the EC to improve waste management and ensure it meets the requirements set by EU legislation to protect human health and the environment.

Recently released data for the UK shows that 36.66% of household WEEE was collected in 2009 compared to 30.66% in 2008.

This came despite 9.86% less electrical and electronic equipment being put on the market in 2009.

This still remains significantly behind the 65% collection target that the EC has proposed from 2016.

Directive Decoder