The WEEE compliance fee would provide an alternative means for producer compliance schemes (PCSs) to meet their annual collection targets under the UK WEEE Regulations 2013, which require producers of electrical and electronic equipment to finance the costs of collecting, treating, recovering and recycling household WEEE.
Under the regulations, the Secretary of State has discretionary powers to approve a compliance fee methodology each year.
The fee allows PCSs that fail to meet their targets to achieve compliance by making a financial contribution instead.
WEEE compliance fee consultation
The consultation sets out a methodology and administrative approach for calculating and managing the compliance fee for 2025.
The proposed approach would calculate the WEEE compliance fee separately for each waste stream, such as cooling, display and lamps, for any PCS that does not meet its target and chooses to use the fee.
PCSs wishing to use the fee would need to submit collection and cost data to the appointed administrator. Schemes that meet their targets may also submit cost data voluntarily.
The fee payments will go towards the Compliance Fee Fund, which will be available to spent on WEEE-related projects.
Recolight CEO Nigel Harvey said: “A compliance fee is a really important part of the WEEE system. It gives WEEE schemes an alternative method of compliance if targets cannot be met.
“So it is very pleasing that the JTA have once again proposed a sensible methodology. Without it, there is a real risk that multiple schemes might miss their targets, and so be in breach of their statutory duties.”
Project timeline
The proposed timetable suggests that activities would occur shortly after the end of the 2025 compliance year. Key dates include:
- After 1 February 2026: Confirmation of the final tonnage of household WEEE evidence for 2025
- Early March 2026: Defra provides the total household WEEE evidence for the calculations
- 31 March 2026: The EA publishes final WEEE collection and reuse reports for 2025
- Late March / Early April 2026: The administrator notifies PCSs of their final fee liability and payment deadlines
Defra is seeking views on whether the Secretary of State should set a WEEE compliance fee, and for opinion on the proposed mythology.
The consultation is due to end on 10 November 2025.
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