As of 1 July, if you are a producer, distributor or end-user of electrical and electronic equipment, the rules regarding how you dispose of such items have changed.
[UKPRwire, Thu Jul 12 2007] On 2 January 2007, the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations 2006 came into force across the UK. From 1 July 2007, the deadline for implementation of the Regulations is up, affecting everybody in the WEEE chain.
Producers, distributors and end-users will all be affected by the Regulations, which aim to minimise the amount of WEEE that goes in landfill, and apply greater responsibility to producers and distributors of Electrical and Electronic Equipment.
Research has shown that many small businesses are unaware of their duties under the Regulations, and with this in mind Workplace Law Group has produced the Guide to WEEE 2007, a downloadable publication that explains the varying responsibilities and roles under the new legislation.
The Guide answers the following common questions:
What products are classified as WEEE?
Will businesses have to pay to get rid of their WEEE?
Will producers be responsible for all EEE once it has reached the end of its life?
What are the options for distributors?
The WEEE Regulations are an important piece of legislation for businesses, and should be taken seriously by all users of electrical and electronic equipment.
Phil Conran, Recycling Manager at Biffa Waste Services believes there is still a general unawareness of the Regulations throughout the industry.
I think the vast rump of small producers and an awfully large proportion of retailers have absolutely no idea that [the Regulations] are in place and don’t know that they are breaking the law. The DTI and the EA are supposedly trying to advertise the Regulations, putting adverts in trade press and the like, and trying to inform people, but I think it will take a long time before we see the majority of people knowing about their obligations.
Worryingly, large fines can be placed on those companies that fail to comply, whether through ignorance of the Regulations or otherwise. Conran thinks the enforcement agencies may apply a "soft touch" this year, but expects to see large fines occurring in the future. Therefore, employers would be wise to ensure they know exactly what their obligations are under the new legislation, to avoid a nasty shock in the future.
The Guide to WEEE 2007 is a downloadable-only publication, providing instant access upon purchase. The price of this guide is £39.99 plus VAT. Members of Workplace Law Group can get a 10% discount on this price. For more information on Workplace Law’s membership packages please call 0870 777 8881 or visit http://www.workplacelaw.net
Ends
About the author
Phil Conran is General Manager of Recycling Development at Biffa Waste Services. He has been at the forefront of the debate over the development of the WEEE Regulations, being part of various government working groups and bodies such as the WEEE Advisory Group and set up the Transform Producer Compliance Scheme within Biffa which now has a 7% market share and includes members such as BT and DSG International.
Biffa Waste Services is one of the UK's largest waste management companies, providing a wide portfolio of services including compliance services under Producer Responsibility. Biffa collects over four million tonnes of waste from one million households and 90,000 industrial and commercial customers each year, and handles a further four million tonnes for disposal. More than one million tonnes is now disposed of through treatment and recycling. Biffa also operates a number of local authority Civic Amenity sites and provides a national WEEE collection service from businesses.
About Workplace Law Group
Workplace Law Group is the UK's fastest growing provider of legal information services on employment law, health and safety and premises management.
Workplace Law Group serves over 50,000 businesses in the UK and has expanded from its core market of facilities management to provide workplace solutions for architects, health and safety managers, building surveyors and HR managers.
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