The Professional Computing Association (PCA) is launching an insurance scheme next month to safeguard its members from the risks associated with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive.
The scheme will be underwritten by four large insurance companies and has been developed by IT recycling, re-marketing and disposal firm Technical Asset Management (TAM).
Kevin Riches, managing director of TAM, told CRN: “There are three key risks surrounding WEEE. One is liability – if producers join a compliance scheme and another member goes bust, the other members will have to pay for the disposal of that manufacturer’s products at end of life. Our insurance offers an assurity tool to protect producers from this risk.”
He added that the second risk arises from the open-ended nature of environmental regulations.
“If a component in a PC is suddenly deemed hazardous under new rules our insurance includes a stop-loss or cap to any liability,” Riches said.
“The third risk is based around the take-back scheme required under the WEEE directive. Our insurance will provide a complete take-back scheme for members.”
Keith Warburton, chief executive of the PCA, said: “The PCA’s WEEE scheme has been designed to provide a solution for any business that builds or assembles computers, or any other products, that will eventually turn into WEEE.”
Mick Thomas, health and safety, quality and environment manager at PC builder Evesham, said: “We are a member of the PCA, but I’m also trying to speak to many other organisations that offer WEEE compliance schemes over the next few weeks so I can present an accurate picture of what is available to the board at Evesham. We will then decide what is the most suitable scheme for us.”
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