Legislation in the EU

EU rules on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment cover the so-called WEEE Directive from 2003 and a directive from 2004 amending this first directive.

The WEEE Directive requests all EU Member States to introduce rules on collection and treatment as well as recovery of WEEE. Accordingly, producers and importers will bear all expenses for management and treatment of WEEE.

The producer responsibility covers ten categories of electrical and electronic equipment. These categories can be found in Annex 1B to the WEEE Directive.

Requirements for producers and importers

• Anyone putting electrical and electronic equipment on the market must register in the national producer register.
• Annual reporting to the national register of quantities marketed, taken back, and treated.
• All products in the scope must be marked with the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol.
• All costs relating to management of waste electrical equipment must be borne by the producers and they must provide a financial guarantee for future management costs.