How do the WEEE regulations affect my business?

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive, or WEEE Directive as it is otherwise known, affects almost all businesses in the European Union. It is important to understand your legal obligation to manage and recycle WEEE responsibly. The future depends on the sustainable work we do today.

What is WEEE?

WEEE is short for waste electrical and electronic equipment. WEEE can be classed as either household or non-household waste and covers virtually all electrical and electronic products at the end of their lifecycle including TVs, DVD and video recorders, IT and telecommunications equipment, medical devices monitoring and control instruments.

What is the WEEE Directive?

The WEEE Directive sets standards for the treatment, recycling and recovery of WEEE. It applies to all businesses that import, manufacture or re-brand electrical and electronic equipment. It also affects businesses that sell and distribute electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). 

There can be no doubt that the WEEE Directive is something all businesses involved in EEE should take seriously. Failure to meet your legal obligations not only harms the planet, but it can also result in prosecution and fines. 

History of the WEEE Directive

The WEEE directive has undergone a number of minor revisions since its inception.

  • The first WEEE Directive (Directive 2002/96/EC) entered into force in February 2003. The directive provided for the creation of collection schemes where consumers return their WEEE free of charge. These schemes aim to increase WEEE recycling and/or re-use.
  • In December 2008, the European Commission proposed to revise the Directive in order to tackle the fast increasing waste stream. The new WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU entered into force on 13 August 2012 and became effective on 14 February 2014.
  • EU legislation restricting the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC) entered into force in February 2003. The legislation requires heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium and flame retardants such as polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) or polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) to be substituted by safer alternatives.
  • In December 2008, the European Commission proposed to revise the directive. The RoHS recast Directive 2011/65/EU became effective on 3 January 2013 (more information about RoHS is available here).

(Source: European Commission)

Need help with WEEE recycling regulations compliance?

One of the best ways to make your business more environmentally-friendly is to practice green procurement. Here at TXO, we want to help.

As the no.1 alternative to the OEM, TXO provides critical telecom network hardware and asset management services to thousands of clients from all over the world. At the heart of what we do is a passion for sustainability, which is why our asset recovery services include acquiring, redeploying, repairing, reselling and recycling both new and used products. 

Where equipment has no further market value, or cannot be refurbished for return to service, our WEEE compliant recycling service (available standalone or as part of a single, cohesive service) keeps materials at the end of their lifecycle out of landfill and makes precious metals available for repurpose.

Work with a trusted WEEE compliant partner

Our considerable experience in the treatment of WEEE category 3: IT and telecommunications equipment has made us one of the largest recyclers in Europe. This enables us to leverage relationships with the largest smelters globally to maximise the return for our clients. 

Our customers also return to us time and time again because they trust us to meet the highest standards in WEEE recycling. It’s a responsibility we take seriously. We are independently audited and hold the following certifications:

  • Environmental Permitting (England & Wales) Regulations 2010 – Environmental Permit no. EPR/AB3297TQ
  • Notification of grant of approval as an Approved Authorised Treatment Facility (AATF) – WEE/YC0006ZT/ATF
  • Hazardous Waste Registration Report – Registration number – CAF286
  • Notification of grant of approval as an exporter (AE) / The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2013 – Approved Exporter number – WEE/NR0001WA/EXP
  • Waste Carriers Licence – Registration number – CBDL7781
  • ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management

Whenever your telecom network hardware breaks down, gets replaced or becomes surplus to requirements, please contact us. We would love to assist you.