Signatories from APPLiA, DIGITALEUROPE, the European Electronics Recyclers Association (EERA), Orgalim and the WEEE Forum published a joint paper on 12 December calling for Implementing Acts, which they believe will contribute to improved quality waste management and harmonisation of treatment practices throughout Europe.
These implementing acts would be based on existing European WEEE directives.
Kurt Kyck, president of EERA, said: “The WEEE directives suggest standards would be a desirable outcome, but they have not been transposed by all countries.
“EEERA believes mandatory standards throughout Europe would create a level playing field, from a commercial and an environmental point of view.”
Standards
The paper calls for uniform implementation of Article 8.5 of the Directive 2012/19/EU on WEEE, which covers the proper treatment of WEEE and aims to establish minimum quality standards.
It reads: “The Commission may adopt implementing acts laying down minimum quality standards based in particular on the standards developed by the European standardisation organisations.”
The unilateral adoption of European standards EN 50625 and EN 50614 – which cover the process of collection, transport, reuse and treatment of WEEE – is also called for in the paper.
These were developed over six years by European standardisation organisation CENELEC.
Consequences
The importance of the harmonisation of treatment practices throughout Europe is stressed in the paper.
It reads: “WEEE treatment is a complex chain of activities undertaken by several operators that can be located in various member states.
“Minimum standards guarantee that all parts of the chain are fulfilling the same conditions.”
It is also proposed by the signatories that the promotion by the EU of these standards at international level with its trading partners would ensure a global level playing field.
Unlevelled playing field
Currently just five EU member states, including Ireland and France, use the EN 50625 and EN 50614 standards as part of a legislative framework.
My Kyck said: “WEEE directives require targets to be met. We believe this is not achievable in the current set-up.”
It is suggested in the paper that without the enforcement of the Implementing Acts those that operate legally and in full compliance with the law are under unnecessary pressure, because they are most visible to the authorities.
It reads: “Unfortunately, this creates an unlevelled playing field for the market.
“Unless the standards requirements are applied uniformly by all actors handling and treating WEEE, the market will remain distorted and the protection of the environment is at serious risk to be compromised.”
Implementing Acts
Implementing acts are legally binding acts that allow the European Commission to set conditions that ensure that EU laws are applied uniformly among member states.
The Commission is supervised by committees consisting of EU countries’ representatives.
With Britain set to leave the EU this year, it is unclear whether existing or proposed European WEEE directives would be adopted into British legislation.
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