The main aim of the update is to prevent the waste of electrical and electronic equipment. The Directive places responsibility for WEEE on producers, manufacturers or importers to ensure that it is recovered, reused or recycled.
The scope of items falling within the definition of WEEE has been extended, to include all electrical and electronic equipment. Exemptions remain for certain items, such as large-scale stationary industrial machinery and military material. Also, electrical and electronic equipment is now classified under six categories instead of 10.
Under WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU manufacturers and/or importers are expected to contribute financially to cover the cost of collecting, treating and disposing of professional and household electrical and electronic equipment in an environmentally friendly manner. In addition, it imposes labelling requirements, and requires producers to register and report in each EU Member State where they place electrical and electronic equipment.
Producer, manufacturer and importer obligations differ depending on whether the WEEE is from private households or other sources. Distributors also have obligations related to the management of waste equipment.
SGS offers a range of services to help manufacturers and importers to comply with the WEEE Directive requirements, as well as similar requirements in other countries, including requirements surveys, regulatory monitoring and compliance management advisory services.
