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27 Mar 2006
The European Commission (EC) is to carry out a number of reviews on the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive by 2008, CRN has learned.
One review will look at the collection and re-use targets, and one will look at the simplification of the legislation. The Commission will also launch a number of studies on the implementation of the directive. These will be available publicly and the first, which will propose options for changes in the directive, is being launched today.
In December the UK government announced a fourth delay to the implementation of the WEEE directive (CRN, 19 December). It is currently carrying out a consultation on WEEE with major stakeholders. Many channel players are concerned that the UK government could use the EC reviews as a way to avoid implementing the directive altogether.
Mike Lawrence, managing director of VAR Bentpenny, said: “I think it’s likely that this will give the government an excuse to not implement WEEE. The government will probably complete its consultation in about five weeks, and then say it feels it is unnecessary to implement WEEE until the reviews have been completed, or something along those lines.”
Jon Godfrey, managing director of Lifecycle Services, said: “Making WEEE and Restriction of Hazardous Substances regulations simpler and easy to implement could be a positive step. However, I predict that some governments, including that of the UK, will use this as an excuse for further delays, or for deliberate avoidance. Should the UK fail to implement WEEE regulations this year it would be shameful.”
Derek Morgan, compliance consultant at CKS Group, said: “The EU has never intended either the WEEE directive, or any other directive, to be final and permanent. But, like all legislation, it evolves as our societal
needs mature and priorities change. Indeed, anyone reading the 2002 WEEE directive will quickly see that the timeline of 2008 is critically important as a milestone for the next major revision.”
David Sutcliffe, director of corporate sales at CKS, said: “The UK government cannot wriggle out of implementing WEEE, so resellers should not fall into a false sense of security. They should put procedures in place now so that they’re not caught out once the directive comes into force.”
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