Introduction
What are the WEEE and RoHS Directives?
How does the WEEE Directive Work?
Scope of the WEEE Directive
Registration and enforcement in the UK
Importing and exporting
Compliance Options
Treatment and recycling
Inforamtion requirements
Costs
What does the WEEE Directive mean for UK Manufacturers, local authorities and Retailers?
The WEEE Directive in other EU Member States
How will RoHS Work?
Scope of the RoHS Directive
Definitions
Restrictions
Exemptions
Testing
Industry Views
DIY Compliance Check
WEEE DIY compliance check
RoHS DIY compliance check
Actions for complying with WEEE
Actions for Complying with RoHS
Lead Free
How do I raise awareness?
Tools resources and further information


Allocation of responsibility

The Environment Agencies register producers and DTI establish the allocation of WEEE to producers.

Each WEEE collection site is allocated to a particular producer or compliance scheme on a three year basis.

Allocation mixes physical allocation to larger producers and compliance schemes and a settlement mechanism enabling financial compliance by producers with smaller market share obligations.

Data on recycling and recovery of different categories will be produced by using protocols which set down the average amount of separately collected WEEE in each category.

The Government will work to further to resolve methodology for the allocation of WEEE.

A producer may comply individually or via a compliance scheme. If you are complying individually, you will have to register and report data to it to show your compliance. (If you are a scheme member, your scheme will do this for you).

NB - allocations will only be given for household WEEE. Business WEEE will not be covered by allocation, it will be dealt with by producers and end users.

Allocation of WEEE by Product Groupings

In an attempt to simplify the WEEE Directive’s product categories for the purposes of collection it has been proposed that the allocation should be by a small number of “groupings” of WEEE for the purposes of collection.

It is likely that a system based on 5 categories up to the point of normal separation will be used.

  • Large household appliances (except those subject to Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) regulations)

  • Large household appliances subject to the ODS Regs

  • TVs and Monitors

  • Flourescent tubes

  • All other WEEE

Evidence of recovery and recycling will be subject to whatever category divisions are agreed.

Making your own Arrangements

You can make your own collection arrangements - perhaps via your own product take-back system. You will need to provide evidence that the WEEE you separately collect has been treated and recovered in accordance with the requirements of the Directive.

What you collect separately can be offset against your allocation, if applicable, and would be added to the overall total of separately collected WEEE during the compliance period. You may still be responsible for an allocation in that compliance period.

Once your allocation has been calculated you will have to show that you have recovered and recycled the required amount by providing the required evidence. If you decide to adopt an individual approach you will effectively have to operate and register as a single member compliance scheme. This brings with it a number of responsibilities and costs that some smaller companies may not be able to meet.