Advisory Note: 002
Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment Regulations
(WEEE) 2006
Introduction
WEEE stands for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). The European Directive on WEEE
aims to minimise the impact of electrical and electronic goods on the environment by increasing
reuse and recycling to reduce the amount of WEEE being deposited in landfills.
What equipment is affected?
The WEEE Directive applies to the following categories of equipment:
Information technology and telecommunications equipment, mainframes, personal
computers, printers/copiers and telephones. Note some IT equipment e.g. computer monitors are
also classified as hazardous waste (see Advisory 003).
Consumer equipment, e.g. radios, televisions, dvd players, video recorders, hif-fi equipment,
camcorders and musical instruments.
Small Household Appliances: Vacuum cleaners, irons, toasters, clocks.
Large Household Appliances: televisions, fridges, cookers, microwaves, washing machines,
dishwashers. Note televisions, fridges and freezers are also classified as hazardous waste (See
Advisory 003).
Lighting equipment, e.g. fluorescent lamps, energy saving light bulbs and sodium lamps (also
classified as hazardous waste see advisory 003). Filament bulbs are not included.
Electrical and electronic tools (except large stationary equipment), e.g. drills, welding, riveting
tools, sewing machines, electric lawnmowers.
Toys, leisure and sports equipment, e.g. games consoles, sports equipment with electric or
electronic components i.e. running machines.
Medical devices (except implanted and infected products), e.g. radiotherapy and dialysis
equipment
Monitoring and control instruments, e.g. smoke detectors, thermostats and heating regulators
Automatic dispensers, e.g. automatic dispensers for food, drink and money
Accessory items such as audio headphones, computer keyboards, antennas and connecting cables
are considered to be part of the finished products when they are sold. As a result, they are classified
as WEEE.
The following items are NOT classified as WEEE:
 Large stationary industrial power tools
 Components and spare parts
 Filament light bulbs
 Toner cartridges (These are classified as Hazardous Waste see Advisory 003)
 Appliances and equipment that uses less than 1000V AC or 1500 DC
Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment Regulations (WEEE) Briefing Note 001
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What are the risks of non-compliance?
Under the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) and Hazardous Waste Regulations (some WEEE
classified as hazardous) we have a Duty of Care to ensure correct storage, collection and treatment
of any waste. A breach of the EPA could lead to a £5,000 fine in the Magistrate’s Court or unlimited
in the higher courts. Imprisonment is also a potential risk in severe circumstances.
Our Duties:
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We must ensure that WEEE is destined for an Authorised Approved Treatment Facility (AATF)
WEEE must be segregated for separate collection.
We must comply with other waste legislation including Duty of Care and the Hazardous Waste
Regulations as appropriate
If it is classified as hazardous, we must ensure that the AATF has an appropriate
environmental permit to treat the waste
What else are we doing?
We have introduced the following measures to ensure compliance with the WEEE Regulations:
 A central procedure for disposing of WEEE via the Estates Helpdesk
 All our WEEE is collected by organisations licensed by the Environment Agency:
 Ecosystems – IT Waste
 Stearns – White goods (Fridges/Freezers, etc)
 Cory (our main waste contractor) – collect all other WEEE items
What do staff need to do?
 Employees should ensure that items of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) are
disposed of according to the A-Z guide
 Materials may be disposed of via a suppliers compliance scheme however employees MUST
ensure WEEE is passed on to an authorised facility and Duty of Care is applied
 WEEE MUST NOT be disposed of as general waste or placed in open skips
 Hazardous WEEE, for example fridges, freezers, computer monitors and fluorescent tubes,
should be segregated from non-hazardous WEEE
 Report instances of non-compliance (e.g. external storage of waste IT equipment, WEEE
disposed alongside other materials in skips, etc) to your manager or Rebecca Hopkins
(Caretaking Manager, FX Plus)
Other Relevant Guides / Legislation
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Your Duty of Care Obligations Advisory Note 001
Hazardous Waste Compliance Advisory Note 003
Further information:
Karen Clowes, Carbon and Sustainability Manager
karen.clowes@fxplus.ac.uk 01326 253775
First Publication: October 2015
Guidance Source: Croner-i Environment and Sustainability
Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment Regulations (WEEE) Briefing Note 002
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