What retailers who sell electrical and electronic equipment need to know about the WEEE Regulations
Retailers' responsibilities
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Regulations (WEEE Regulations) affect retailers and other distributors who sell electrical and electronic equipment (EEE).
If they're selling EEE to the public, retailers will have to ensure that their customers can return their WEEE free of charge.
This will be on a one-for-one basis, as long as the new equipment is of a similar type and has the same function as the old equipment.
The Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) is responsible for ensuring that retailers and distributors of electrical equipment play their part in helping household users to dispose of WEEE at the end of a product's life.
Private householders: distributor take-back schemes
Private householders can (but don't have to) return their WEEE to retailers who offer in-store takeback. Retailers are able to set up alternative collection systems as long as they are still convenient for customers.
The WEEE regulations allow a Distributor Takeback Scheme to be created, as an alternative to in-store take back for retailers and other distributors who have joined. This alternative network is largely based on the existing network of local authority civic amenity sites.
Valpak Retail WEEE Services has been appointed to operate the Distributor Takeback Scheme. Retailers and other distributors that join are required to contribute to a fund that pays local authorities to upgrade civic amenity sites put forward as Designated Collection Facilities.
These retailers don't have to offer in-store take back of WEEE but can direct consumers to the nearest Designated Collection Facility.
Retailers also have to ask producers of EEE for their unique producer number when they supply EEE. This number proves that the producer has joined an approved compliance scheme and is helping fund the treatment and recycling of separately collected household WEEE.
Retailers may agree with producers to show consumers a ‘visible fee’ for treating and recycling certain types of products at end of their life. The WEEE regulations and guidance set out the restrictions that apply to these fees.
Contacts
Telephone our National Customer Contact Centre on 0370 8506506.
