Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE Directive), which came into effect on 2nd January 2007, aims to minimise the impact of electrical and electronic goods on the environment, by increasing re-use and recycling and reducing the amount of WEEE going to landfill. It seeks to achieve this by making producers responsible for financing the collection, treatment, and recovery of waste electrical equipment, and by obliging distributors to allow consumers to return their waste equipment free of charge.
The WEEE Regulations apply to any electrical and electronic equipment which falls within the following product categories:
- Large household appliances
- Small household appliances
- IT & Telecommunications equipment
- Consumer equipment
- Lighting equipment
- Electrical and electronic tools
- Toys leisure and sports equipment
- Medical devices
- Monitoring and control instruments
- Automatic dispensers
Practice action
Practices should ensure that suppliers conform to the Directive and remove free of charge any surplus, waste or superceded equipment which falls into any of the above categories.
Further information
Environment Agency: Guidance on WEEE
Waste legislation overview page
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