The new recast WEEE Directive (DIRECTIVE 2012/19/EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 4 July 2012 on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)  (recast)) has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 24 July 2012, and will enter into force 20 days later.

Key elements include:

?   Scope:
The extension of the scope to include all electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) which classified within the 6 categories set out in Annex III (open scope) start from 15 August 2018 with additional exceptions (listed in Article 2 (3) & (4)). The transitional period is 13 August 2012 to 14 August 2018 and scope is same as the previous WEEE directive (2002/96/EC).

?   Take-back systems:
Distributors shall provide for the collection, at retail shops with sales areas relating to EEE of at least 400 m2, or in their immediate proximity, of very small WEEE (no external dimension more than 25 cm) free of charge to end-users.

?   Collection Rate:
Ask each Member State ensure the implementation of the ‘producer responsibility’ and set up a minimum collection rate achieve annually. From 2016, the minimum collection rate shall be 45% and from 2019, the minimum collection rate to be achieved annually shall be 65%.

?   Recovery targets:
Set the minimum recovery targets for each category in three steps and the targets listed in Annex V.

?   Registration and reporting requirement:
Harmonise the registration and reporting requirements of producer or authorised representative (appointed under Article 17) according to Annex X.

The Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by 14 February 2014.The new Directive – 2012/19/EU will take effect and the 2002/96/EC will be repealed from 15 February 2014.