Understanding the WEEE Directive: Compliance and Regulations Explained

Key Points to Know about the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) for Reducing E-waste

The WEEE Directive (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive) is an EU legislation that aims to reduce the negative environmental impact of electronic waste. Here are some key points you need to know about the WEEE Directive:

Categories of EEE covered by WEEE Directive:

1. Temperature exchange equipment.
2. Screens, monitors, and equipment containing screens having a surface greater than 100 cm2.
3. Lamps.
4. Large equipment (any external dimension more than 50 cm).
5. Small equipment (no external dimension more than 50 cm).
6. Small IT and telecommunication equipment (no external dimension more than 50 cm).

Targets of WEEE Directive:

• Producers must register with the national regulatory authorities in each EU country where the product is sold and report the sales volumes of each product type.
• Producers must arrange or participate in a system for collecting EEE on end-of-life for recoverability, reusability, and recyclability targets.
• EEE must be marked with a symbol of the crossed-out trash bin.
• Producers must meet the recoverability, reusability, and recyclability targets of WEEE.

Recoverability, reusability, and recyclability targets of WEEE:

• For WEEE falling within category 1 or 4 of Annex III, 85% shall be recovered, and 80% shall be prepared for re-use and recycled.
• For WEEE falling within category 2 of Annex III, 80% shall be recovered, and 70% shall be prepared for re-use and recycled.
• For WEEE falling within category 5 or 6 of Annex III, 75% shall be recovered, and 55% shall be prepared for re-use and recycled.
• For WEEE falling within category 3 of Annex III, 80% shall be recycled.

How ComplyMarket can help you:

ComplyMarket Team can help you meet the recoverability, reusability, and recyclability targets of the WEEE Directive by supporting you to design and check your products. Our experts use the following material efficiency standards:

• EN 45555:2019 ‘General methods for assessing the recyclability and recoverability of energy-related products’
• EN 45556:2019 ‘General method for assessing the proportion of reused components in energy-related products’
• EN 45557:2020 ‘General method for assessing the proportion of recycled material content in energy-related products’

With ComplyMarket's support, you can ensure that your products comply with the WEEE Directive and contribute to a more sustainable future.