The Department of Trade and Industry has reiterated its commitment to the principles laid out in the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE).

In a review of the WEEE directive, the DTI makes clear that producers and retailers must assume a degree of responsibility for their products to ensure that they are recycled.

Under the rules outlined in the directive, producers are obliged to sign up to a registration system, which will monitor their obligations.

Publishing its conclusions on the WEEE rules, the DTI says it is happy with the of the plans and ruled out further consultation or discussion.

The move means that electronics recycling – which often includes the recovery of precious metals such as pgms used in circuitry and other apparatus – looks set to go ahead without too many qualifications.

Electronics manufacturers have already voiced their fears at the impact of WEEE on their profits, with the logistical process of collecting the products also a cause for concern.

The DTI says it will continue to discuss the plan with industry representatives but says it will not now be changing the details of the implementation of the initiative.


Ÿ Adfero Ltd