EU Adopts Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment

The EU recently adopted a directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) to improve collection, re-use, and recycling of used electronic devices. It also aims to limit illegal exports of WEEE from the EU and drive more environmentally responsible behavior by producers, distributors, and consumers of EEE.

Within four years, member states must annually collect 45 percent of the average weight of electrical and electronic equipment sold on their national markets. Three years later, member states must achieve a 65 percent collection rate. Some EU states where consumers use fewer electronic devices may have some flexibility in achieving the stated goals.

The scope of the legislation was broadened to cover all electric and electronic equipment, such as photovoltaic panels, equipment containing ozone-depleting substances, and fluorescent lamps containing mercury.