Although the schemes are not revealing any details at this stage, they have confirmed that following a meeting on Thursday February 21, “constructive dialogue” is continuing between them today.
However, it is thought likely that a deal could involve some initial payment between the two schemes, followed by a full review of all the costs involved in Electrolink's network.
Dispute
The dispute, which has stretched back almost to the start of WEEE producer responsibility in July 2007, has involved the costs of transporting WEEE arising at Electrolink partner collection facilities to reprocessing companies, as well as recycling costs.
REPIC, which has a large membership of household electronics producers, requires Electrolink's surplus evidence because it does not have enough collection site partners to cover its members recycling duties under the WEEE Regulations.
So far, REPIC has been unhappy with the prices Electrolink wants to charge for its surplus collection evidence. Electrolink has argued that the prices were reasonable to cover its partners' costs, which include local authorities, waste management firms and reprocessing companies.
It is understood that in particular, the sticking point has been over fridges and cathode ray tubes.
This morning, a spokeswoman for REPIC told letsrecycle.com: “The schemes had the meeting last Thursday. Nothing was agreed then, but they are still in constructive dialogue.”
The meeting saw both sides laying their cards on the table, she explained, insisting the meeting had been “quite successful”.
Ongoing “constructive dialogue” was also the phrase used by Electrolink for the current situation this morning, although the scheme's chief executive Barry Van Danzig added that he was hopeful of reaching an agreement soon.
“We are in ongoing constructive discussions and are close to concluding an agreement,” he said.
If there is a review of Electrolink's costs, it would have to be carried out relatively quickly, and most likely ahead of the May 31 deadline set by the Environment Agency for all WEEE evidence to be fully traded and audited regarding the first compliance period of July-December 2007.
Advisors
Meanwhile, a meeting of the government's group of independent industry advisors for the WEEE Regulations takes place today in London, and issues concerning Electrolink and REPIC are likely to be discussed.
Chaired by Peter Calliafas, the WEEE Advisory Body is aiming to finalise the different areas of WEEE policy and regulation that its members will then investigate possible improvements.
One of the areas thought likely for discussion will be how to make the system more accountable to individual producers, since some large manufacturers have claimed the current collective responsibility system does not provide incentive for designing out waste from their products (see letsrecycle.com story).
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