The Environment Agency has warned there will be no more "Mr Nice Guy" for those involved in the trade of electrical or electronic goods who are failing to meet their obligations in dealing with e-waste. Companies covered by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations SI 2006/3289 should by now have signed up to a compliance scheme which enables them to take legal responsibility for the waste their trade produces. However regulators say there are still those who have failed to do so and that they will take a dim view of those found to be deliberately flouting the rules.
Liz Parkes, head of waste at the Agency said, "Around 3,900 producers have signed up for the first compliance period which runs to the end of this year and they'll need to renew their registration for next year with any of the compliance schemes available. However we know there are still some companies out there that need to register for the current year. Our message is simple - join an approved compliance scheme now. Leave it too late and you risk enforcement action from us."
The WEEE Regulations came into force in the UK in July 2007 with the aim of putting the financial responsibility for e-waste on the shoulders of those who profit from its production and an ultimate goal of increasing the recycling, recovery and reuse of these goods. A full list of the approved compliance schemes available and further information and advice on the Regulations is available from www.environment-agency.gov.uk.
