Valpak looks to run full compliance scheme for WEEE

The organisation today announced a new “pre-compliance” scheme, which will be in place up until the finalisation of the WEEE legislation by government. Subject to the details of the final legislation Valpak hope to have a full compliance scheme in place in January.

The cost of joining the service is 500 for companies with a turnover of 5m or less and 1,000 for members with a turnover of over 5m, with Valpak packaging compliance members entitled to a 25% discount.

Realistic

Michael Sadler, head of the WEEE pre-compliance service at Valpak, said: “We do not believe it is responsible or realistic to offer companies full compliance at this stage, when no-one can say for certain what shape the legislation will take. Valpak will now have a focused team looking at workable solutions on both sides of the directive.”

Mike Sadler – planning ahead for the WEEE Directive

The service offers members information and advice regarding the Directive, including a timetable of events and an overview of the various options for producers and retailers.

Mr Sadler said: “We will be informing the organisations that sign up of key dates to be aware of, and allowing them to follow our process with regards producer responsibility. By arranging the processes and doing the worrying for them we are offering fundamental peace of mind to our members.”

Mr Sadler said: “The scheme is open to non members; we are currently going through a recruitment plan but at the moment we want to make sure that our members are making sure that our members know where they stand.”

The scheme has already signed up several members, leading electrical goods manufacturers Miele and Brother and Hornby plc, manufacturers of Hornby Trains and Scalextric. Valpak expects “a lot more” members to follow.

Approached

Mr Sadler said: “We have been approached by many Valpak members telling us that they need a reliable and expert information service for the WEEE directive. As the UK's leading expert in producer responsibility we are ideally placed to offer this.”

Another of the advantages of the scheme is its influencing function Valpak said. Members should have input into consultation responses and representations to government, which the scheme said gives them a voice in government. Louise Marshall, corporate risk manager at Brother said: “The fact that we can help to shape the workings of any final compliance scheme is an extremely important part of their offering.”