WEEE Directive

The UK Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations implement the main the provisions of the European WEEE Directive. The broad aim is to address the environmental impacts of unwanted electrical and electronic equipment at end of life disposal. The scope covers a wide range of products intended for household and/or commercial use that are dependent on electrical currents or electromagnetic fields to work properly.

The original WEEE Directive was published at the beginning of 2003 and obliged the European Commission to submit a report to the European Parliament and European Council within five years, along with proposals for revisions to the original Directive.

The Commission published proposals for a “recast” of the Directive in December 2008. These are now being considered by both the Environment Council and the Environment Committee of the European Parliament.

Additional WEEE Directive Information

Information and guidance is available from the Environment Agency and the Department for Business Innovation and Skills.

• Environment Agency WEEE
• BIS WEEE