EU WEEE Directive revision 2026: What businesses need to know

Did you know that only 40% of WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) is collected and recycled in the EU? With electronic waste growing at around 3–4% per year, the EU WEEE Directive is once again under review. As part of the upcoming EU Circular Economy Act (CEA), the European Commission has confirmed a revision of Directive 2012/19/EU, with big implications for producers, retailers, and compliance managers across Europe.

So, what’s changing, and how can your business prepare?

Why is the EU WEEE Directive being revised?

On 2 July 2025, the European Commission published its evaluation of the Directive, identifying five major shortcomings:

1. Scope – gaps in which products are included
2. Collection rates – many Member States still far from meeting targets
3. Recovery of CRMs – limited success in extracting valuable materials
4. EPR harmonisation – fragmented schemes with inconsistent obligations
5. Treatment requirements – varied implementation across Member States

The Commission also noted enforcement gaps, particularly with online sellers, and highlighted opportunities to simplify reporting and improve transparency across registers.

Key changes expected in 2026

Under the new EU Circular Economy Act, the Directive revision is expected to address:

• Higher collection targets for WEEE streams
• Harmonised EPR schemes across Member States
• Better reporting formats and improved information transparency
• Increased focus on CRMs, ensuring valuable resources are recovered
• Shift towards EU Regulations instead of Directives, reducing administrative burdens and strengthening the Single Market Strategy

For businesses, this shift means more consistent requirements across the EU, but potentially stricter obligations.

Next steps: Consultation period

The Commission has now opened a Call for Evidence running from 1 August to 6 November 2025 (consultation details here). Stakeholders, from producers to recyclers and NGOs, are invited to provide feedback on how the Directive should evolve.

How can businesses prepare?

Navigating the complexities of international environmental compliance requires forward planning. Businesses should now:

• Review existing EPR obligations in each Member State
• Assess how upcoming harmonisation of reporting may affect operations
• Monitor opportunities for eco-design and recyclability improvements
• Engage in the consultation process to shape future obligations

Valpak’s International Compliance service  helps businesses stay ahead of regulatory changes across packaging, WEEE, and batteries worldwide.

Conclusion

The EU WEEE Directive revision will reshape how businesses manage electronics compliance across Europe. With higher collection targets, stricter recovery goals, and harmonised EPR schemes on the horizon, now is the time to act.

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