View the below text in your language
| Dansk | Deutsch | Eesti | Español | Français | Italiano | Latviešu | Lietuvių k | Magyar | Nederlands | Polski | Português | Slovenčina | Suomi | Svensk |

What is the WEEE directive ?

Directive 2002/96/EC on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and Directive 2003/108/EC, which amends it, are two pieces of EU legislation that have been or will shortly be transposed into national law in all member states. These two wide-ranging directives affect many parties, from manufacturers and retailers, to consumers and re-users of electrical and electronic equipment. The WEEE directive was adopted under Article 175 of the EC Treaty. Directives adopted under this Article provide for minimum requirements. Member States are permitted to implement stricter measures to achieve the targets. Requirements therefore vary depending on the member states.

What is the goal of the WEEE directive ?

The volume of WEEE generated by households and businesses is increasing every year. This creates a number of environmental problems, as this equipment can contain hazardous substances, like precious metals, dangerous chemicals and toxins, which will pollute the environment if not disposed of properly. The aim of the WEEE directive is to protect human health and the environment..

What are the consequences of the WEEE directive ?

The WEEE directive provides for a number of obligations for manufacturers with respect to collection, treatment, recovery, reuse, recycling, reporting and financing. It applies to new and replacement equipment sold after 13 August 2005. Product requirements must also be adopted and the design and manufacture of equipment that can be more easily dismantled and recovered must be encouraged. Equipment under this directive must be easy to identify. One way of doing this is by using the WEEE logo. It must be easy to see whether a given product was put on the market after 13 August 2005. This is indicated by a black bar under the WEEE logo or a date of manufacture.

What is Electrical and Electronic Equipment ?

‘EEE’ means all equipment that needs electrical currents or electromagnetic fields to work properly and that is designed for use with a voltage rating not exceeding 1000 Volt for alternating current and 1500 Volt for direct current. The WEEE Directive distinguishes ten categories:

1. Large house hold appliances
2. Small house hold appliances
3. IT and telecommunications equipment
4. Consumer equipment
5. Lighting equipment
6. Electrical and electronic tools
7. Toys, leisure and sports equipment
8. Medical devices
9. Monitoring and control equipment
10. Automatic dispensers

Use the dropdown menu on the left to select the European Directive in your preferred language.