The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations may affect Business to Consumer 'producers', Business to Business 'producers', 'distributors' / retailers and 'distance sellers' / mail order or internet based businesses. Local authorities can also work with Producer Compliance Schemes for WEEE collections, treatment and recycling.
Obligated electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) 'producers' must join a producer compliance scheme within 28 days of placing EEE onto the UK market.
If you are an obligated 'producer', you need to pay a share towards the costs of recycling WEEE by joining a producer compliance scheme like Valpak. The costs are based on the type of equipment and the amount that you produce. You will need to provide quarterly sales information to your compliance scheme. You also need to mark your EEE products with the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol and a producer identification mark. The costs and the system vary depending on whether you are selling to household or non-household consumers. Find out more by clicking on the following links:
If you are a 'distributor' (otherwise known as a retailer) you have to make sure that consumers can recycle their WEEE. Consumers can do this by returning it to you 'in-store' when they buy a new electrical or electronic product. Alternatively, if you do not wish to / it is not feasible to offer WEEE in-store take back, you can join the Distributor Take back Scheme
If you are a UK mail order or internet based business (otherwise known as a 'distance seller') selling EEE to EU member countries, you are required to provide the relevant environment agency with information to demonstrate that your obligations have been met in each respective country. If you require further information about what you are required to do, please call one of our technical advisors on 08450 682 572 or complete our online enquiry form.
If you are a local authority, you can register your Civic Amenity Sites and / or Waste Transfer Stations with the Distributor Take back Scheme (DTS) as Designated Collection Facilities (DCFs). Local authorities that register with this scheme will receive funding to upgrade these sites so that they can accommodate household WEEE. The costs associated with WEEE collection, treatment and recycling are covered by EEE ‘producers’. Collection, treatment and recycling is carried out by each local authority’s chosen Producer Compliance Scheme.
If you are a local authority and you are interested in working with Valpak’s WEEE Producer Compliance Scheme contact us.
Other sites can register as DCFs, such as those from the charity and the not-for-profit sectors, retailer depots and the commercial sector. Please contact us to find out more.