WEEE Directive

Electrical and electronic equipment represents the fastest-growing source of waste in the European Union (EU). This waste often contains hazardous substances that can contribute to land contamination, ground water pollution and health risks to consumers. Issued in 2003, EU Directive 2002/96/EC, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), was implemented to reduce the creation of electrical and electronic waste and to encourage the recovery, reuse and recycling of  electrical and electronic products. The Directive is aimed at contributing to sustainable production and consumption, and seeks to improve the environmental performance of all entities involved in the lifecycle of electrical and electronic equipment.

The EU Directive 2012/19/EC on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE II) will require manufacturers to transition to an open scope and sets progressively increasing recovery and recycling targets for all categories of electrical and electronic equipment. Recycling, as differentiated from recovery in Directive 2008/98/EC, will be a new challenge to manufacturers.

In order to achieve the recovery targets established in WEEE II, manufactures (otherwise known as producers in WEEE II) are required to establish processes and systems to ensure the safe and effective collection and recovery of most electrical and electronic waste. Manufacturers are also encouraged to maximise the use of recoverable and recyclable materials in their products, and to design products in order to facilitate the dismantling and recovery of recyclable materials. WEEE II also introduces a harmonised registration form and system, and requires manufacturers to appoint an authorised representative in each EU Member State, who is legally responsible for fulfilling the manufacturer’s responsibilities under WEEE II.   

In addition to the requirements of WEEE II, medical device manufactures may be subject to other EU directives and regulations addressing the control and recycling of electrical and electronic waste. These include EU Directive 2011/65/EU on the restriction of the use of hazardous substances (RoHS II), and as well as the EU directive on the disposal of batteries and on product packaging and packaging waste.

Electrical and electronic equipment covered by the WEEE Directive

• Category 1 - Large household appliances
• Category 2 - Small household appliances
• Category 3 - IT and telecommunications equipment
• Category 4 - Consumer equipment
• Category 5 - Lighting equipment
• Category 6 - Electrical and electronic tools (with the exception of large-scale stationary industrial tools)
• Category 7 - Toys, leisure and sports equipment
• Category 8 - Medical devices (with the exception of all implanted and infected products*)
• Category 9 - Monitoring and control instruments
• Category 10 - Automatic dispensers

* Medical devices such as in vitro diagnostic medical devices, where such devices are expected to be infective prior to end of life, and active implantable medical devices are excluded from the scope of WEEE II\

WEEE compliance is required for producers and distributors of electronic and electrical goods in the EU. Non-compliance could result in your products being barred from the European market.

TÜV SÜD’s experts are very familiar with the EU regulatory landscape as well as the latest compliance and regulatory requirements. We are a single source of expertise in achieving the necessary compliance for products for European market access.

• Material/composition determination - TÜV SÜD assists producers in establishing the material/ composition declaration of EEE products through a database comprising the listed product components together with their weights and component materials, as required for producer registration.
• WEEE compliance and registration requirements evaluation - Our experts evaluate products to verify whether they fall under the remit of WEEE. After checking the manufacturer specifications, data and documentation, and material components, we also assist in constructing a bill of materials component list.
• Registration assistance - Manufacturers and importers of EEE goods need to register in every member state of the EU where products are intended for sale. TÜV SÜD assists clients to register as a WEEE producer with an approved producer compliance scheme in all relevant EU states.

As an internationally renowned solutions provider, TÜV SÜD has strong working relationships with regulators and national certification bodies in key markets. We offer a single-source solution for manufacturers seeking European market access, assisting clients to achieve compliance to various European regulations and directives. TÜV SÜD’s experts speak your local language and are well versed in the latest compliance and regulatory requirements for European market access. In addition, we save you time and money through our bundle testing and the various services we offer for European market access.