|
I am a very small business. Does the Directive
apply to me?
Yes. There is no lower level for which the obligations
do not apply. This potentially means that all businesses,
no matter how small, must comply with the Directive.
Where do I find details of companies that will
collect, treat and dispose of WEEE in accordance with
the Directive?
An increasing number of organisations have been established
to ensure the appropriate treatment of WEEE. To find
details of companies in your area, visit the WEEE Directory
Website. The cost of appropriate treatment is determined
by the nature and quantity EEE and the travelling distance
required for collection. Companies must keep documented
evidence to prove that their WEEE has been managed in
accordance with the Directive.
I have heard of ROHS. Is that the same as the
WEEE Directive?
No. The ROHS (Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous
Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Directive
(2002/95/EC) is a sister Directive to the WEEE Directive.
As such, all companies that are affected by the WEEE
Directive, are also affected by ROHS. ROHS aims to reduce
the environmental impacts of WEEE by restricting the
use of hazardous substances in EEE. It sets limits for
the amount of lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium,
polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) and polybrominated diphenyl
ethers (PBDE) that EEE is permitted to contain. For
further information on how your business is affected
by ROHS, visit the Environment Agency’s NetRegs
website.
When does the Directive come into force?
Implementation of the WEEE Directive begins on the 13th
August 2005. After this date producers will be responsible
for financing the collection, treatment and environmentally
sound disposal of WEEE. Complete implementation of the
Directive will be from 31st December 2006, by which
date the UK has to achieve a collection target of 4kg
of WEEE per individual per annum, a target which has
already been exceeded. The WEEE regulations are expected
to be published by April 2005.
I have heard that WEEE is regarded as hazardous
waste. Is this true?
Yes. Many items of EEE contains hazardous materials
that are harmful to people and the environment. These
items require treatment in accordance with the Hazardous
Waste Directive (HWD) 91/689/EC. These regulations are
due for publication in July 2005..
Information on WEEE provided by the Centre for Waste
Management (University of Central Lancashire)
Further Information can be found from
The
Department of Trade and Industry
The Industry Council
for Electronic Equipment Recycling (ICER) a non-profit
making organisation drawing together manufacturers,
retailers/distributors, material suppliers, waste management
companies, recyclers and local authorities to work together
on solutions for WEEE. ICER has produced a handbook
for producers of electronic and electrical equipment
Design for Recycling Guidelines and also provides a
Directory of Recyclers giving details of the services
offered and a contact for each organisation.
|
