UK High Court has ruled that the UK’s regulations which govern the collection, treatment and recycling of electrical and electronic equipment are lawful under the EU Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE). The WEEE Directive came into force in January 2007, placing responsibility on producers (mainly manufacturers and importers) and distributors (generally wholesalers, retailers and distance sellers) to finance the collection and responsible treatment of electrical and electronic waste.
This recent ruling was the result of a Judicial Review brought to the High Court by Repic Ltd. against the Department for Business and the Environment Agency in June of this year.
“The Government will continue to monitor the system and will be bringing forward amendments to the Regulations for introduction in 2010 which will streamline the system and reduce the administrative burden placed on businesses. We will also be working alongside other Member States to ensure the recast of the Directive fits with the needs of UK producers and other stakeholders.” says Ian Lucas MP Minister for Business. For a full report on the issue see the Government Press Release.
