GEN – 767.00. The Commission implementing Regulation 2017/699 establishing a common methodology for the calculation of the weight of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) placed on the national market in each Member State and a common methodology for the calculation of the quantity of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) generated by weight in each Member State has been published in the Official Journal on 19 April 2017.
The implementing Regulation 2017/699 is accompanied by three reports that are of interest to the Member States confirming the earlier adopted national WEEE recovery targets. One report indicates that it is not appropriate at this stage to set separate targets for WEEE for re-use.
15 August 2018
It is reminded that on this date the “open scope” applies, meaning that unless explicitly excluded all electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) falls under the WEEE directive 2012/19.
In several countries appliances (including components) produced by manufacturers may not yet be covered by national implementation measures such as collecting and processing schemes for discharged equipment.
Manufacturers should be aware that on 15 August 2018 many products, including several components, will be subject to WEEE.
The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for the WEEE directive should be read in conjunction with the FAQ for the Restriction of Hazardous Substances directive (RoHS 1 – RoHS2) with regards to the exclusions of large scale fixed installations.
Within the RoHS 2 FAQ in the examples of large scale fixed installations benefitting from an exclusion are mentioned the fixed installed cooling, air conditioning and refrigeration systems or heating systems designed exclusively for non-residential use.
It is recalled that from 22 July 2017 RoHS2 also applies to the industrial monitoring and control instruments.
It is the responsibility of the manufacturer to assess if his products benefit from an exclusion.
Recommended Action
The national associations are recommended to check with their environmental authorities the implementation of the WEEE directive. Most Member States have set up collection schemes and it is worthwhile to check the present and future scope of these schemes.
Manufacturers who have not yet assessed their products in the light of WEEE and RoHS are recommended to do so well in advance of 15 August 2018. The respective FAQ provide for guidance.
Related documents and links
Commission DG Environment website (links to directive and FAQ)
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/weee/legis_en.htm
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/rohs_eee/events_rohs3_en.htm
Implementing Regulation 2017/699
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32017R0699&from=EN
