What Manufacturers Need To Know About WEEE: The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipmentequipment manufacturers. Hence suitable tie-ups with
(WEEE) Directive 2002/96/EC of the European Unionexternal recycling establishments may need to be
aims at minimization of the impact of e-wasteentered into by manufacturers, either singly or
(discarded or end-of-life electrical or electronicthrough collective arrangements. The foregoing are
equipment [EEE]), on the environment by increasingpost-sales activities.
re-use and recycling and reducing the amount ofIt is very important for a manufacturer to also
WEEE going to landfills. It is closely linked to theunderstand the importance of certain pre-sales
Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directiveactions which impinge upon compliance significantly.
2002/95/EC which seeks to limit the presence of sixThese are actions at the design and manufacturing
hazardous materials in electrical and electronicstages.
equipment.First is the effort to design equipment which can be
There are several categories of electronic waste ordismantled into the smallest possible parts and
e-waste that fall under the WEEE Directive: large andcomponents. This will facilitate recovery of the parts
small household appliances as well as consumerfor reuse; a more economical proposition than say,
products are included. E-waste in this directive meansrecycling.
electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) designed forSecond, manufacturers must ensure labeling of
use with voltage ratings of up to 1000V ac or 1500Vproducts is in line with the requirements of the WEEE
dc. Hence manufacturers of most electronicDirective including a "Do Not Landfill" note.
consumer goods used in day to day life, fall underThird, reduction of hazardous material content in the
the purview of the directive. Since the consequencesproduct greatly reduces the need for expensive
of non-compliance are serious (including possible banrecovery efforts. It also contributes to overall
on doing business in EU countries), manufacturersenvironmental conservation. For this reason, the
need to be conversant with the WEEE and theimportance of RoHS compliance of products and
related RoHS directives.processes cannot be over emphasized. The sooner
The WEEE Directive seeks to minimize themanufacturers recognize this fact; the better their
environmental impact of e-waste by mandating itsprofits will be long term.
collection, treatment, recovery and/or recyclingThe WEEE 2002/96/EC Directive is not a law and
should be facilitated and financed by producers. Itindividual EU member states are to incorporate its
also proposes that consumers be able to return theirprovisions into their own legislations. Since differences
waste equipment free of charge. Manufacturers,in the laws across the EU member states are
therefore, need to assess the impact of theseinevitable, multi-national manufacturers may need to
requirements and initiate appropriate action fordevelop innovative compliance solutions.
implementation.Further, the WEEE Directive is based on Article 175
This involves setting up collection centers forof the EC (European Community) Treaty - the
e-waste, arrangements for transportation to theTreaty establishing the European Union. This allows
recovery and/or recycling centers, facilities formember states to include additional products as long
recycling and determination of final disposal options.as they countries adhere to European Community
Recovery and recycling of electronic waste islaws governing overall trade and commerce within
specialized work and recycling plants must conformand beyond the EU. Manufacturers must stay abreast
to certain minimum standards.of more environmentally sound practices and current
Operation of captive recycling facilities may be bothWEEE changes. They also need to be aware of the
uneconomical and beyond the core competence ofimplication of such changes on their businesses.