Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE)

• Definition: EEE refers to the actual products that use electricity to function. This includes a wide range of devices and equipment such as computers, smartphones, household appliances, and industrial machinery.
• Usage: These are the products that consumers and businesses purchase, use, and rely on in their daily lives.
• Regulations: Manufacturers and importers of EEE are subject to regulations that govern the production, safety, energy efficiency, and environmental impact of these devices.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)

• Definition: WEEE refers to EEE that has reached the end of its useful life and is considered waste. This includes discarded or obsolete electronic products and components.
• Disposal and Recycling: WEEE must be handled, collected, and recycled properly to minimize its environmental impact. Improper disposal can lead to environmental pollution and health hazards due to the toxic substances that can be present in electronic waste.
• Regulations: There are specific regulations, such as the WEEE Directive in the EU, that require producers to manage the collection, recycling, and recovery of WEEE. These regulations aim to ensure that electronic waste is disposed of responsibly and that valuable materials are recovered and reused.

Producers that place more than 5 tonnes of EEE onto the UK market (large producer) must:

• register with a compliance scheme to fulfil their legal obligation
• complete annual or quarterly submissions of your placed on market data for WEEE
• ensure EEE is marked with the appropriate labelling requirements i.e crossed out wheelie bin symbol, the actual date the EEE has gone onto the market and a producer identification mark e.g. brand
• assess your WEEE distributor obligation and if required provide a way for your customers to dispose of their old household EEE
• Mesh Waste can guide you through this process and provide solutions for compliance and waste removal

Your company will be assigned with a WEEE registration number when you become compliant with the WEEE regulations. The number will serve as proof of the registration of the manufacturer, the brand and type of electrical or electronic equipment carried out in the country of manufacture. Your company will also be placed on the public registry, along with which Compliance Scheme you are registered with.

If you place 5 tonnes or less on the UK market, you can register directly with the Environment Agency, however a large producer (placing over 5 tonnes) must register through a compliance scheme.

Yes, there is a reform of the WEEE regulations due imminently. Mesh Waste can keep you up to date with compliance and make sure you function in line with any regulations.

Electricals must be collected and recycled by an Approved Authorised Treatment Facility (AATF). Mesh Waste works closely with a wide network of AATFs and can facilitate collections for any organisation. We will also provide appropriate paperwork (Duty of Care, Hazardous Waste Consignment Note) with every collection.