MoreThanWaste.com - Most SMEs unaware of WEEE Regulations (14/02/2008)

"We strongly recommend that SMEs incorporate WEEE into their procurement procedures, so that when buying a new piece of equipment they check that the producer is legally registered and already conforms to WEEE"

Richard Martin, NetRegs programme manager at the Environment Agency

Bristol, UK: In a recent survey by the Environment Agency, only 12 percent of SMEs could name the WEEE regulations without being prompted. Even after being prompted, only 36 percent of SMEs (small and medium enterprises) knew of them, despite the fact that it is now a year since the regulations came into force.

The surprising statistics came out of the NetRegs SME-nvironment survey which included questions on the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations which came into force in January 2007

The Agency says that UK businesses are producing a million tonnes of WEEE annually. Companies that are still ignoring WEEE legislation could be paying through avoidable waste charges.

Of the respondents to the survey, 33 per cent of those in electronic and electrical manufacturing were able to name the WEEE Regulations unprompted, though this seems a surprisingly low percentage for what should be the most informed industry. Textile and clothing manufacturers had 17 per cent awareness but businesses in transport with five per cent and agriculture with two per cent, were the lowest with some distance to go.

WEEE components after primary treatment

However the survey did find that 48 per cent of SMEs had introduced practical measures to reduce environmental harm.

Producers of electrical and electronic equipment, are required to join a Producer Compliance Scheme and to take responsibility for the treatment, collection and recycling of waste electronic equipment produced by them since August 2005, according to the Agency.

Richard Martin, NetRegs programme manager, said:

‘We strongly recommend that SMEs incorporate WEEE into their procurement procedures, so that when buying a new piece of equipment they check that the producer is legally registered and already conforms to WEEE. At the end of the equipment’s life, disposal should be easier and should also improve the company’s green credentials.”

“Many sectors wrongly believe that WEEE is only relevant to businesses in the electrical sector. In fact, if you use a computer, a photocopier, or even have a microwave in your staff kitchen, you need to be aware of what WEEE means for you.”

Further information

For further information see Netregs on the WEEE Directive.


	Most SMEs unaware of WEEE Regulations (14/02/2008) "We strongly recommend that SMEs incorporate WEEE into their procurement procedures, so that when buying a new piece of equipment they check that the producer is legally registered and already conforms to WEEE" Richard Martin, NetRegs programme manager at the Environment Agency Bristol, UK: In a recent survey by the Environment Agency, only 12 percent of SMEs could name the WEEE regulations without being prompted. Even after being prompted, only 36 percent of SMEs (small and medium enterprises) knew of them, despite the fact that it is now a year since the regulations came into force. The surprising statistics came out of the NetRegs SME-nvironment survey which included questions on the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations which came into force in January 2007 The Agency says that UK businesses are producing a million tonnes of WEEE annually. Companies that are still ignoring WEEE legislation could be paying through avoidable waste charges. Of the respondents to the survey, 33 per cent of those in electronic and electrical manufacturing were able to name the WEEE Regulations unprompted, though this seems a surprisingly low percentage for what should be the most informed industry. Textile and clothing manufacturers had 17 per cent awareness but businesses in transport with five per cent and agriculture with two per cent, were the lowest with some distance to go. WEEE components after primary treatment However the survey did find that 48 per cent of SMEs had introduced practical measures to reduce environmental harm. Producers of electrical and electronic equipment, are required to join a Producer Compliance Scheme and to take responsibility for the treatment, collection and recycling of waste electronic equipment produced by them since August 2005, according to the Agency. Richard Martin, NetRegs programme manager, said: ‘We strongly recommend that SMEs incorporate WEEE into their procurement procedures, so that when buying a new piece of equipment they check that the producer is legally registered and already conforms to WEEE. At the end of the equipment’s life, disposal should be easier and should also improve the company’s green credentials.” “Many sectors wrongly believe that WEEE is only relevant to businesses in the electrical sector. In fact, if you use a computer, a photocopier, or even have a microwave in your staff kitchen, you need to be aware of what WEEE means for you.” Further information For further information see Netregs on the WEEE Directive.