The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) is often overlooked by organisations grappling with the finer details of the RoHS regulations. However, as WEEE will be enforced before RoHS this allied legislation should be given priority, or at least equal attention.

WEEE is a highly complex Directive, which is further compounded by EU member states implementing various timescales, differing recovery rates and specific legal requirements.

From a legislative perspective, it is already illegal to sell certain electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) into EU member states where producer registration is already mandatory. In addition, from 23rd November this year, companies will also be prohibited from selling into Germany where they have not completed formal registration.

But WEEE registration is not simply a form filling exercise or applying a crossed out wheelie bin symbol to EEE that falls within its scope. A prerequisite of registration is evidence of producer responsibility or enrolment with a local collective compliance scheme together with financial guarantees.