The government鈥檚 Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment directive (WEEE) is expected to pass into law in December 2006 and contractors should be aware of their obligations.

Two documents 鈥� Part I, Draft implementation of directives 2002/96/EC and 2003/108/EC on WEEE, and Part II Draft guidance to the WEEE Regulations 鈥� are available to download from

The government timetable for implementation from the start of 2007 is:

  • applications from producers to the Environment Agency for compliance schemes from 4 January;
  • requirement to have joined a produce compliance scheme by 15 March;
  • producer marking EEE to assist separate collection begins 1 April 2007;
  • producer compliance schemes, national distribution take back scheme and designated collection facilities, will all be required shortly after the regulations come into effect;
  • producer obligations begin 1 July 2007.
Wincanton has launched a recycling plant at Billingham, Middlesborough and completed a three month trial, with retailer Argos, to recycle its electrical and electronic returns. Results were positive with a 95% recycle rate achieved.

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor