FINAL VOTE ON THE RECAST OF THE WEEE DIRECTIVE

02/06/2012 10:49 AM

On the 19th of January 2012, a European Parliament plenary vote has finally brought to an end an epic 3-year parliamentary debate on the update to Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) legislation.

Products and scope

Amongst other electro technical and electrical equipment, the WEEE Directive now also applies to photovoltaic (PV) panels, which represents an important challenge for PV panel producers in Europe. While the EU legislators have included in the Directive reference to already existing schemes, such as PV CYCLE, which can continue operating under the framework of the WEEE legislation, it will now be crucial for the PV industry to avoid an excessive variety of implementing measures at national level.

The PV industry calls on European policymakers to use the possibility foreseen in the Directive to set an individual collection target for PV panels. This would encourage separate collection of this product, whose composition and recycling techniques differ from those of other electrical and electronic equipment, such as TVs and radios.

Once Council formally approves the updated directive and it enters the EU lawbooks, Member States will have 18 months to update their national legislation.

Collection and recycling

All Member States must increase their collection of e-waste, regardless of whether they already meet the current flat-rate target of 4kg per person per year. By 2016, most will have to collect 45 tonnes of e-waste for every 100 tonnes of e-goods put on sale three years previously. By 2019, this must rise to a rate of 65%, or alternatively they can collect a comparable figure of 85% of e-waste generated.

To help everyone play their part, Parliament successfully argued that consumers should be allowed to return small items (such as mobile phones) to any larger electrical goods shop, without needing to buy a new product.

Recycling rates will need to rise to 80% for some categories of goods.

E-waste exports

MEPs also negotiated tighter controls on illegal shipments, to prevent e-waste being processed in countries where conditions are often hazardous to workers and the environment. The burden of proof moves from customs officials to exporters, who must properly demonstrate in future that goods are being shipped for repair or reuse as appropriate.

Cutting red tape

Producers of e-goods will continue to contribute financially towards meeting processing targets. They will benefit from simplified registration and reporting requirements and will be able to appoint representatives instead of needing to establish a legal seat in each country where they operate. New measures will prevent double charging of registration fees within Member States.