EU member state representatives have come to an agreement over new WEEE proposals and the lawmaking process can move forward. A crucial decision has been made over disputed collection targets, which sees an increase in collection targets with staggered entry into force.
It seems there are two options open to member states on how the increase in collection targets is implemented. A collection of 45% WEEE put on the market will be introduced after four years of the publication in the Open Journal of the European Union. Seven years after publication, the collection target will rise to 65%, both collection targets will be based on the current method. Alternatively, member states can use a collection method, to be defined by the EU, to meet a collection target of 85% after seven years after publication.
There will be a change to the definition of producers but it is not clear if that will include the European wide definition some stakeholders argued for. Producer responsibilities will be increased, not only by the collection targets and the probable increase in compliance costs, but logistically. Large electronic outlets will be required to provide WEEE take-back on site, in the same way battery producers are required to collect waste batteries. This will have to be defined in more detail as the point has been raised that some WEEE, especially large products, are not feasible collected in-store.
Other changes include a widened scope, which will ultimately include all products meeting the WEEE definition to be covered. Only products with specific exemptions will not be covered in comparison with the product categories we have today. The change in scope will be implemented incrementally.
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