The European Commission has this month issued proposed revisions to Directive 2002/96/EC, on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), which will significantly toughen the much maligned legislation by imposing recycling targets on IT and electrical equipment manufacturers and making them financially responsible for the household collection of electronic waste (eWaste).
The WEEE Directive was passed in 2003 and came into force in the UK in January 2007. However, it has been widely criticised by green groups as being unworkable, with manufacturers accused of failing to adequately publicise eWaste take back schemes, waste management criticised for illegally exporting old computers to scrap yards in the developing world and regulators slammed for failing to enforce the legislation.
As a result, the Commission has expressed concerns that the legislation is not proving effective and claims that only around a third of eWaste is being treated in accordance with the law. It is estimated in the EU that 54% of eWaste produced is being shipped to sub-standard treatment facilities, while the remaining 13% goes to landfill. It also claims that the illegal shipping of eWaste for handling in non-EU countries remains widespread. It is hoped the proposed strengthening of the Directive will give Member States greater powers of inspection and monitoring, whilst tightening registration and reporting requirements for producers and "encouraging" them to be financially responsible. A recycling target has also been proposed, that would require manufactures to collect annually 65% of the average weight of products placed on the market in the two preceding years.
These proposed revisions are now open for consultation ahead of an eventual vote on the changes in the European Parliament.
