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EU: Waste from electrical and electronic equipment

United Kingdom
26/11/1999
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The latest (third) draft proposal for a Directive on electrical and electronic waste contains only minor changes with respect to previous texts, the most significant change providing for a 2-year delay in the application of take-back obligations for most of the equipment covered. The list of exempted applications for the use of heavy metals has been enlarged, however the ban on the use of heavy metals and brominated flame retardents is maintained for 2004. Electrical and electronic equipment is defined in the proposed Directive as “equipment which is dependent on electric currents or electro magnetic fields … and designed for use with a voltage rating not exceeding 1000 volts for alternating current and 1500 volts for direct current”. The Commission is determined to go ahead with the controversial legislation which has received strong opposition from industry. Under the current draft, producers of electrical and electronic waste would have to set up systems to provide for the recovery of separate collections to meet targets by 1 January 2004 of: for large household appliances, 90% by weight of the appliances; small household appliances, 70%; gas discharge lamps, 90%; all equipment containing a cathode ray tube, 70%. Updated reuse and recycling targets would be adopted before 2006.
(European Commission, September 1999)

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