3,900 producers signed up to WEEE recycling law

The Agency said there were still companies that manufacture, import or rebrand electrical products that need to register as producers under the legislation, to comply with Europe's Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive.

The WEEE Regulations require producers of electronic goods to contribute financially each year towards the UK's new collection and recycling network for WEEE.

Producers must join a compliance scheme to carry out their obligation, and their recycling fees depend on the amount of goods they sell each year in one of 10 categories of appliances. Those that don't register face prosecution.

Liz Parkes, head of waste at the Environment Agency, said today: “Around 3,900 producers have signed up for the first compliance period which runs to the end of this year and they'll need to renew their registration for next year with any of the compliance schemes available.

“However, we know that there are still some companies out there that need to register for the current year. Our message is simple – join an approved compliance scheme now. Leave it too late and you risk enforcement action from us.”

The first compliance period under the WEEE Regulations runs from July 2007 to December 2007. After this, compliance periods will run on a calendar year basis.

Ms Parkes said: “As we move towards the end of the first compliance period we are still working to help make sure businesses are complying with the new rules. However if we find a business has flouted the rules and deliberately avoided registering, we will take enforcement action. These regulations are about protecting our environment and it's important that everyone plays their part.”

The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) is running a series of free workshops from next week around the country to explain to producers – and retailers – how the WEEE Regulations affect them. There is no charge for attending, but places will be limited, and given on a first come, first serve basis.

Business users

Meanwhile, the BERR has issued a new fact sheet in an attempt to clarify how business users of electronic goods can comply with the new WEEE Regulations.

The WEEE Regulations apply differently to business electronics compared to household goods.

Producers of electronic goods are responsible for collection, treatment and recycling of old business equipment purchased after August 13, 2005.

For business equipment purchased before that date, producers are only responsible for taking WEEE if they are replacing the items with similar new products. If items are not being replaced, the business users themselves have responsibility for arranging the collection and recycling of unwanted electronic goods.

Alternative arrangements between suppliers of goods and business users is allowed under the regulations.

The fact sheet reminds businesses to be aware of the WEEE Regulations when buying new electronic equipment, and urges them to obtain the producer's registration number so that they know who to contact when it comes time to dispose of the items.