Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations:
The WEEE Directive legislates for environmentally friendly disposal of WEEE. The Irish regulations implement the new European Directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment and apply to producers (manufacturers and importers) distributors (retailers) of electrical and electronic equipment.
The European Union (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 149 of 2014) came into effect on 29th March 2014.
Obligations for Retailers:
In accordance with the European Union (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Regulations 2014 all retailers distributing electrical and electronic equipment need to ensure that they are registered annually with one of the approved registration bodies,
WEEE Ireland http://www.weeeireland.ie/
ERP http://www.erp-recycling.ie/
OR
their local authority (download registration form)
While the WEEE Directive is based largely on the principle of producer responsibility, the regulations include specific provisions relating to retailers. Producers and retailers are now responsible for the financing of the collection, treatment, recovery and disposal of WEEE.
All all retailers distributing electrical and electronic equipment must;
- provide free take back of WEEE from customers. Take-back is on a one-for-one basis and the appliance being returned must be of similar type or have performed the same function as the new item purchased. Larger stores (>400m2 floor area for EEE), will have to take back WEEE, one for zero).
- collect and store WEEE. Retailers are NOT permitted to use the civic amenity site for WEEE.
- Only transfer WEEE to an authorised waste collectors, which include WEEE Ireland (an approved collection compliance scheme, which covers the South Dublin County Council functional area).
- display relevant information notices. Refer to www.weee-enforcement.ie
- further information can be downloaded here http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/waste/weee/inforetailereeeandbatteries.html
Obligations for Producers (Manufacturers and Importers):
In accordance with the European Union (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Regulations 2014 all producers of electrical and electronic equipment are obligated to register with the WEEE Register Society at http://www.weeeregister.ie .
Members of the Public:
Members of the public must not dispose of WEEE in the domestic bin. They can deposit for free their WEEE at an electrical and electronic equipment retailer on a one-for-one basis and the appliance being returned must be of similar type or have performed the same function as the new item purchased. Larger stores (>400m2 floor area for EEE), will have to take back WEEE, one for zero).
WEEE can also be brought to the Ballymount Civic Amenity Centre for free.
Note: This page is a guide only. It does not purport to provide, and should not be relied upon as, a legal interpretation of the regulations. South Dublin County Council advises you to read the Regulations in full.
The full legislation can be downloaded at
http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2014/si/149/made/en/print