A distributor is defined as any business who provides EEE on a commercial basis to a consumer.
Distributors who supply new EEE intended for use by private households will attract an obligation under the UK WEEE regulations. Examples of such distributors include but are not limited to:
- wholesalers
- high street retailers
- mail order sellers
- internet sellers
Distributors supplying new EEE have to ensure that WEEE from private households can be returned, free of charge, on a one-for-one, like for like basis.
Distributors supplying new EEE to private households are obligated to inform householders about:
- the need for separate collection of WEEE, and the high collection rates of WEEE for treatment, recovery and environmentally sound disposal
- facilities available for the disposal of WEEE
- their role in contributing to the reuse, recycling and other forms of recovery of WEEE under the WEEE regulations
- the potential impact to the environment and to human health, of hazardous substances contained within WEEE
- the meaning of the crossed out wheelie bin symbol
Distributors have to maintain records of the number of units - by category - of WEEE from private households returned to them, and the information they have provided to their consumers.
Records are to be maintained for 4 years and should be made available to the appropriate authority on demand.
Distributors have two options in order to comply with their legal obligations:
To find out more visit the Distributor Take Back Scheme website
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