WEEE anniversary brings warning of penalties for the unwary
August 29th 2008

Many firms remain unaware of their obligations under the WEEE (Waste, Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Regulations and are facing the threat of unlimited fines according to EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation.

The warning comes on the one year anniversary of companies becoming responsible for recovery of products at the end of their life, a year which has been marked by many firms struggling to understand the requirements and an absence of proper guidance.

"The requirements of the Directive are a maze for many companies who are unaware that they are covered and risk being fined," says Gareth Stace, head of environment at EEF, said: One year on there is still a need to provide more help and guidance for companies in understanding what their obligations are."

Under the Regulations, producers of electrical and electronic equipment are financially responsible for the recovery and recycling of the equipment at the end of life. However, the definition of where the ultimate responsibility lies has been far from clear as supply chains are often complex and identifying where the full producer obligations fall has been difficult. This has caused problems for small and medium size companies who often think they are exempt. There also remains an absence of any risk based principle which means the obligations are disproportionate to the impact of the equipment on the environment.

In response, EEF is urging the government to apply its principle of simplification and better regulation to the Review of the Directive later this year by the European Commission.

EEF believes the Review should be used to cut administrative costs and bureaucratic burdens caused by the Directive, whilst improving legal certainty for companies. It should also shape WEEE in a sustainable manner rather than introducing yet more environmental and administrative requirements without considering the competitiveness of electrical and electronic manufacturers that operate in global markets. The scope should not be widened to other types of products unless a clear case can be made on environmental and economic grounds.

As part of its own efforts to raise awareness amongst companies EEF has updated its guidance on WEEE. This is available free from EEF’s website to registered users.

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