Products need WEEE logo, resellers warned

Many resellers are still unaware of the product marking obligations that come into force in August

With less than six weeks to go until the product-marking obligation of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive comes into force, resellers must make sure products carry the wheelie-bin logo.

The product-marking obligation kicks in on 13 August, but most resellers are unaware of this, consultancy WEEE Audit has told CRN.

Barry Holland, founder and director of WEEE Audit, said: “After 13 August resellers will either have to stick the logo on themselves, or send unmarked stock back to the manufacturer. Resellers should contact their suppliers and make sure that all the stock they receive from now on has the WEEE wheelie-bin logo on it.”

Leanne Gravil, branch manager at VAR CBC Computers, said: “This is news to us. We have a WEEE policy, but we didn’t know that product-marking comes in this August. We order stock on a monthly basis so we will have to look into this.”

Mike Lawrence, managing director of reseller Bentpenny, said: “I don’t think manufacturers are geared up for this Directive and it’s going to be upon us in the blink of an eye. It’s an absolute disaster. If no one enforces it, then it will be fine, but if the government decides to issue fines to firms that don’t comply, then all hell will break loose. The whole WEEE directive is a shambles.”

Holland added: “Many small businesses don’t have time to wade through all the documentation surrounding WEEE. Our experts can conduct a compliance assessment to help them ascertain the implications of the Directive and its relevance to their business.”