Previously, the regulations had only required a one off report on capacity for safe fridge disposal in each country, but the amendment to article six of the regulations means data must be submitted each year to the European Commission.
Article six of the regulations now reads: “Member states shall report to the Commission by 31 December 2001 and for each 12 month period thereafter on the systems established to promote the recovery of used controlled substances, including the facilities available and the quantities of used controlled substances recovered, recycled, reclaimed or destroyed.”
UK director for the fridge disposal quality standard RAL, Jeff Weeks said the new amendment means that European countries will be forced to keep accurate records regarding fridge destruction. He said: “RAL are very pleased to see that there is now a requirement for year on year accountability within the regulation itself.”
However, he added that he believed the current government systems for collecting the relevant data from fridge recyclers in the UK was insufficient. “DEFRA can no longer hide behind claims of 'gold-plating' in respect of additional reporting requirements and must come clean and publish the results,” said Mr Weeks.
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