TWI Frequently asked question
By Michèle Routley
The WEEE Directive, applicable in all EU Member States, aims to:
- reduce the waste arising from electrical and electronic equipment;
- improve the environmental performance of all those involved in the lifecycle of electrical and electronic equipment.
Increased recycling of electrical and electronic equipment will limit the total quantity of waste going to final disposal. Producers will be responsible for taking back and recycling electrical and electronic equipment. TheDirective covers WEEE used by consumers and for professional purposes. Producers of electrical and electronic equipment must apply the best available treatment, recovery and recycling techniques.
This Directive affects those involved in manufacturing, selling, distributing, recycling or treating electrical and electronic equipment. This includes: household appliances; IT and telecommunications equipment; audio-visualequipment; lighting equipment; and electrical and electronic tools, toys, leisure and sports equipment, medical devices and automatic dispensers. See Annex 1B of the Directive for a full list of products.
For further assistance from TWI on WEEE matters, contact Dr Michèle Routley
michele.routley@twi.co.uk
Further information
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive
europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/LexUriServ/site/en/consleg/2002/L/02002L0096-20031231-en.pdf
EU Background information on the Directive
europa.eu.int/comm/environment/waste/weee_index.htm
Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR) WEEE information
www.berr.gov.uk/sectors/sustainability/weee/page30269.html
The Association of Collective WEEE Take Back Systems
www.weee-forum.org/
