ICER has set up a scheme for recyclers of waste electronic and electrical equipment and another for refurbishers of computers which it says are a “major milestone on the route to implementing the WEEE Directive”.
Claire Snow, director of ICER, said: “The EU Council of Ministers has just reached a common position on the WEEE Directive. Ministers agreed that an important aspect of the new legislation is that recyclers must meet certain standards. One of the objectives of the directive is to raise recycling standards, not just to get more equipment recycled.”
She added: “Recyclers will have to prove that they operate to best environmental and health and safety practice, and also that they can meet recycling and recovery targets for different types of equipment. The ICER Accreditation Schemes for WEEE Recyclers and Refurbishers have been devised to achieve just this.”
The accreditation schemes are voluntary and have been developed by an ICER group of recyclers, refurbishers, waste management companies and manufacturers of equipment. ICER hopes that the schemes will map out ways for recyclers to demonstrate the levels of recovery they have achieved, will take account of technological developments and give guidance on dealing with problem materials and components.
The schemes will be overseen by an independent board and to get the “ICER Accredited Mark” companies must be independently audited against the ICER codes of best practice.
The first three companies to be accredited, following a trial of the scheme are Bruce Metals, South Yorkshire; European Metal Recycling, Middlesex; and Precious Metal Industries, South Wales.
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