The European Commission carried out an evaluation of Directive 2012/19/EU on waste electrical and electronic equipment (hereinafter referred to as the "WEEE Directive") in order to review the effectiveness of the Directive. The revision of the WEEE Directive is a process in which the existing regulations are revised and updated in order to adapt them to new technological developments, environmental requirements and experience from previous application.
On 6 February 2024, the European Parliament held a vote on the outcome of the trilogue on the revision of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE Directive). The aim of the amendment is to adapt the legislation to a previous judgement of the European Court of Justice.
Possible changes include
Extension of the scope: the revision may result in the scope of the Directive being extended to include new categories of equipment that were not previously covered.
Adjustment of collection targets: The revision may set new, more ambitious targets for the collection of WEEE to increase the efficiency of collection systems and ensure that a higher percentage of WEEE is recycled.
Improving recycling standards: A revision can introduce stricter recycling standards to improve the quality of the recycling process and maximise the recovery of valuable materials.
We will keep you informed about further decisions regarding the WEEE revision. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have as part of our Environmental Consulting service.
Statement Bitkom e.V.
The European Commission is currently conducting an evaluation of Directive 2012/19/EU on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (hereinafter referred to as the "WEEE Directive") to assess the effectiveness of the directive.
Bitkom supports a revision of the WEEE Directive, especially in light of the overarching goals of the Circular Economy Action Plan, a modified waste hierarchy, a holistic approach to the circular economy, and the pursuit of maximizing the lifespan of electrical and electronic devices.
To more effectively achieve the objectives of the WEEE Directive and to better integrate it into the overall context of EU environmental and waste policy, we particularly recommend considering the following five points:
Regulation Instead of Directive for EU-Wide Harmonization
Alignment of WEEE Directive and ESPR Objectives
Adaption of WEEE Effectiveness Assessment to the Circular Economy Action Plan Objectives
Better Differentiation Between Re-Use, Preparation for Reuse, Refurbishment, and Remanufacturing
Simplification of Cross-Border Transport of Used Devices for Repair and Refurbishment
