This represents the second consecutive year that a JTA-proposed methodology has been used to determine the fee. A JTA methodology was also used for 2015.
The compliance fee is an alternative mechanism that compliance schemes and obligated business can use if they have insufficient recycling evidence to meet their WEEE collection targets for the year.
Targets are usually met through acquiring evidence of recycling for material collected at civic amenity sites.
The aim of the compliance fee is to discourage PCSs (compliance schemes) from collecting volumes of WEEE significantly above their collection targets and then seeking to sell the surplus evidence to schemes seeking more evidence to meet their obligations.
Decision
Confirming the decision in an email bulletin to compliance schemes today, a Defra official stated: “Defra accepts the JTA’s approach to handling net income generating WEEE streams (applicable to all WEEE streams) and its recommendation for zero fee for LDA.”
The JTA represents around 90% of the companies obligated under the WEEE producer obligation in the UK. Its trade association members are: AMDEA, BEAMA, BTHA, EEF, GAMBICA, LIA, PETMA, SEAMA and techUK.
Administration of the fee process is to be overseen by the accountancy firm Mazars, which has carried out the work in previous years.
Latest WEEE collection data suggests that a compliance fee is likely to be needed for 2018 – with a shortfall of material collected in comparison to targets (see letsrecycle.com story).
Income from the 2017 fee topped £8 million – and will be used to pay for projects that boost the collection of WEEE.
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