Extended Producer Responsibility for WEEE – Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment

We can help your business to prepare for Extended Producer Responsibility for WEEE.

Plug socket

The existing UK WEEE Regulations are currently being reviewed by UK Governments as part of the Resources and Waste Strategy for England.

We will make sure that our compliance scheme members are kept up-to-date with any changes and notified of consultations via customer mailings and webinars.

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How Valpak can help

Defra published its reform proposals for the WEEE compliance system in December 2023 and asked for industry feedback.

Defra sought views on areas concerning household collections, greater obligations for online retailers, consumer information, eco-design, and eco-modulation of fees.

Our Policy Department works to keep up-to-date with all new legislation and requirements that may impact our compliance scheme members, and provides information and support to all our customers via:

  • Industry News Update
  • Member mailings – including WEEE EPR Updates
  • Provision of consultation summaries for members
  • Member webinars and events

 

FAQs

Although the current WEEE Regulations have been largely successful in meeting recycling targets, it is hoped that reforming these Regulations will help to drive sustainable design decisions and will make it easier for consumers to make more sustainable choices.

The government’s proposals explore ways in which it could be made easier for consumers to responsibly dispose of their electronic items when they no longer want them, as well as ways in which obligations on diverse retailers could be better aligned going forward.

These proposals include:

  • A WEEE household collection service
  • Takeback requirements for online retailers at the time of delivery
  • Greater consumer information about recycling options at the point of sale
  • Reformed targets

If Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for WEEE does come into force, we’re currently looking at implementation for some measures from 2026 at the earliest.

Businesses that are obligated under the UK WEEE Regulations should be aware of the following possible changes:

  • EEE Producers may have to fully fund the management of their products at end-of-life
  • *Eco-modulation of fees*, or other measures, may be introduced to encourage more sustainable design, production, and purchasing decisions

 

*Eco-modulation of fees* – The contributions that liable businesses will be obligated to pay into the reformed system will increase or decrease depending on the sustainability of the products. Several different possible criteria could be used for this, such as the recyclability of products placed on the market, the carbon emissions associated with their production, and/or their durability, to name just a few.

 

 

Extended Producer Responsibility is only one aspect of the legislation proposed under the packaging reform. Visit our Plastic Packaging Tax and Deposit Return Schemes pages for further information.

Our 25 years’ experience means we not only have the data knowledge and systems in place to assist with the varying requirements of this legislation, but also the experience to handle compliance on our customers’ behalf.

We can also help with EPR internationally, where regulations already exist, via our International Compliance Service.

Make an Enquiry

To find out more about how we can help your business to prepare for Extended Producer Responsibility for WEEE, contact one of our experts on 03450 682 572 or complete our enquiry form.