WEEE Recycling Directive

EU legislation that sets criteria for the collection, treatment, recycling and recovery of Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment. It makes producers (manufacturers, sellers and resellers of own-brand equipment, and importers and exporters) responsible for financing most of these activities. This directive requires the collection and treatment of any electrical or electronic equipment which is waste including all components, sub-assemblies and consumables, which are part of the product at the end-of-the products life or at the time of discarding. In addition, it requires producers to organize “take back supply chain” for customers to return items when their use is finished. Every producer must also provide information on re-use and treatment for new EEE within one year of placing it onto the market, in order to inform re-use centers, treatment and recycling facilities.
Due to the global economy, this directive has become a global standard.
Resources:
European Commission Waste Policy Homepage
Brady Corporation’s Exhaustive Site on RoHS & WEEE
US Department of Commerce Portal on RoHS & WEEE Resources
WEEE Recycling Directory