WEEE UK: Timeline and status

WEEE UK: Timeline

In December 2005 the Energy Minister, Malcolm Wicks, announced an immediate review of proposals for implementing the WEEE Directive.

On the 27th March 2006, officials posted a high-level policy paper: Conclusions of the Implementation Review on the DTI's website. The paper presented the review team's key proposals for the implementation of the Directive. A conclusion and implementation review document was the result of this work.

Stakeholders were invited to provide evidence to show whether the implementation proposals would deliver the objectives and obligations set by the Directive in an effective and an efficient way. The deadline for submitting evidence was the 21 April 2006.

An executive summary of stakeholder responses to the high-level policy paper was published.

Following the feedback from Stakeholders on the high-level policy paper, the review team drew together a more detailed paper to underpin the high level recommendations. Stakeholders were invited to consider the paper and submit further comments by the 19 May 2006.

There has been no announcement about an implementation timetable. This will be made when public consultation on draft regulations, guidance, and partial Regulatory Impact Assessment begins later this Summer.

About Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE)

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) aims to minimise the impacts of electrical and electronic equipment on the environment during their life times and when they become waste. It applies to a huge spectrum of products. It encourages and sets criteria for the collection, treatment, recycling and recovery of waste electrical and electronic equipment. It makes producers responsible for financing most of these activities (producer responsibility). Private householders are to be able to return WEEE without charge.

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive was agreed on 13 February 2003, along with the related Directive on Restrictions of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS).

DTI leads the EU negotiations on the WEEE Directive working in partnership with the Devolved Administrations on the implementation of the Directive in the UK. The Environment Agency (SEPA in Scotland and EHS in NI) will be the enforcement agencies for WEEE.

Defra leads on the premitting of Authorised Treatment Facilities by means of Waste Management Licences, and is responsible for making the necessary regulations to transpose the WEEE Directive requirements for treatment of WEEE and issuing guidance thereon. Defra works in partnership with the Welsh Assembly Government on the making of permitting regulations in England and Wales and liaises closely with the other Devolved Administrations.

Material courtesy of the DTI. View the original article on the DTI website at:

www.dti.gov.uk