Manufacturers and importers of electrical and electronic products have just six months to prepare for 'full producer responsibility' under the terms of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive. The Directive has been implemented this month, with "producers" required to register with a compliance scheme before producer responsibility becomes fully effective on 1st July 2007.
Most electrical and electronic products - even those as simple as a lamp, alarm clock, video game or toaster - will need to meet the requirements of the Directive, including those which are re-branded in the UK.
From July, producers will be responsible for financing the collection and treatment and recycling and recovery to meet the prescribed targets of their products at the end of their useful life, says resource efficiency programme Envirowise. This applies across ten main product categories including IT and telecoms, household appliances, medical electrical devices and selected sports and leisure equipment.
However, companies must first join an approved producer compliance scheme by 15th March, says Envirowise spokesperson for Wales, Angela Boffy. This includes paying a registration fee and detailing how much electrical and electronic equipment they place on the market each year.
"The objective is to reduce a reliance on landfill sites by providing an impetus to boost recycling of WEEE. However, it is estimated that up to 100,000 businesses will be affected by the legislation* – meaning detailed support and information will be required over the next six months and beyond, to help people fully understand and adapt to these new regulations."
Businesses selling products for consumer use will need to offer financed collection and recycling of household WEEE deposited at local collection facilities e.g civic amenity centres and high street retailers. Producers of equipment used commercially, on the other hand, will need to offer collection direct from the business premises – using a licensed waste carrier.
"It is also important to note that all new products placed on the market from 1st April 2007 will need to show a crossed out wheelie bin symbol and your producer identification mark," adds Angela.
Manufacturers and retailers of EEE can access free advice and information from Envirowise at the WEEE page or by calling the confidential Advice Line on 0800 585 794.
A useful factsheet is also available from the Environment Agency.
*Source: Valpak
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