Responsibility for WEEE

Producers of electrical goods will from July 2007 be required to meet the environmental costs of dealing with waste products under new rules published recently.

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations are designed to encourage companies to consider the life cycle of their products. 'Electrical waste such as toasters, fridges and washing machines are a growing environmental problem here in the UK with over 2m tonnes being dumped in landfill last year alone,' Science Minister Malcolm Wicks said.

Under the WEEE Directive, Wicks said all companies who import, manufacture and rebrand electrical and electronic equipment will have to finance its treatment, recovery and environmentally safe disposal. The directive puts additional responsibility on those who produce the goods, and supports broader government initiatives for dealing with waste.

By 15 March 2007, producers will need to join an approved producer compliance scheme to ensure that they are able to comply with the directive from 1 July 2007.