Have your say: draft WEEE Regulations published

Following numerous delays, a timetable has now been set for UK businesses to comply with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive.

The purpose of the Directive is to minimise the environmental impact of electrical and electronic equipment (eg IT and telecoms equipment, lighting and most powered tools) once it is disposed of. It sets out procedures for collecting, reusing and recycling of this kind of waste.

Consumers will not be asked to bear costs associated with this new waste regime. Most costs will be borne by producers, while retailers and distributors will be required to cooperate in setting up a take-back system for the collection of WEEE from consumers.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has published draft WEEE regulations, implementing the Directive, and is seeking the views of businesses. The key proposals are:
  • a national 'Distributor Take-back Scheme', enabling consumers to return their used items for recycling or reuse
  • obligatory registration for producers through approved compliance schemes
  • authorised treatment facilities for processing WEEE and
  • accredited reprocessing and recycling facilities that will provide evidence to producers of reprocessing.
The regulations are likely to come into force in January 2007, and the full producer and producer compliance obligations will start from July 2007. Businesses have until 17 October to take part in the consultation.
17 October 2006
Download the consultation paper from the DTI website