| The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment | | | | equipment manufacturers. Hence suitable tie-ups with |
| (WEEE) Directive 2002/96/EC of the European Union | | | | external recycling establishments may need to be |
| aims at minimization of the impact of e-waste | | | | entered into by manufacturers, either singly or through |
| (discarded or end-of-life electrical or electronic | | | | collective arrangements. The foregoing are post-sales |
| equipment [EEE]), on the environment by increasing | | | | activities. |
| re-use and recycling and reducing the amount of | | | | It is very important for a manufacturer to also |
| WEEE going to landfills. It is closely linked to the | | | | understand the importance of certain pre-sales actions |
| Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive | | | | which impinge upon compliance significantly. These are |
| 2002/95/EC which seeks to limit the presence of six | | | | actions at the design and manufacturing stages. |
| hazardous materials in electrical and electronic | | | | First is the effort to design equipment which can be |
| equipment. | | | | dismantled into the smallest possible parts and |
| There are several categories of electronic waste or | | | | components. This will facilitate recovery of the parts |
| e-waste that fall under the WEEE Directive: large and | | | | for reuse; a more economical proposition than say, |
| small household appliances as well as consumer | | | | recycling. |
| products are included. E-waste in this directive means | | | | Second, manufacturers must ensure labeling of |
| electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) designed for | | | | products is in line with the requirements of the WEEE |
| use with voltage ratings of up to 1000V ac or 1500V | | | | Directive including a "Do Not Landfill" note. |
| dc. Hence manufacturers of most electronic consumer | | | | Third, reduction of hazardous material content in the |
| goods used in day to day life, fall under the purview of | | | | product greatly reduces the need for expensive |
| the directive. Since the consequences of | | | | recovery efforts. It also contributes to overall |
| non-compliance are serious (including possible ban on | | | | environmental conservation. For this reason, the |
| doing business in EU countries), manufacturers need to | | | | importance of RoHS compliance of products and |
| be conversant with the WEEE and the related RoHS | | | | processes cannot be over emphasized. The sooner |
| directives. | | | | manufacturers recognize this fact; the better their |
| The WEEE Directive seeks to minimize the | | | | profits will be long term. |
| environmental impact of e-waste by mandating its | | | | The WEEE 2002/96/EC Directive is not a law and |
| collection, treatment, recovery and/or recycling should | | | | individual EU member states are to incorporate its |
| be facilitated and financed by producers. It also | | | | provisions into their own legislations. Since differences |
| proposes that consumers be able to return their waste | | | | in the laws across the EU member states are |
| equipment free of charge. Manufacturers, therefore, | | | | inevitable, multi-national manufacturers may need to |
| need to assess the impact of these requirements and | | | | develop innovative compliance solutions. |
| initiate appropriate action for implementation. | | | | Further, the WEEE Directive is based on Article 175 of |
| This involves setting up collection centers for e-waste, | | | | the EC (European Community) Treaty - the Treaty |
| arrangements for transportation to the recovery and | | | | establishing the European Union. This allows member |
| or recycling centers, facilities for recycling and | | | | states to include additional products as long as they |
| determination of final disposal options. Recovery and | | | | countries adhere to European Community laws |
| recycling of electronic waste is specialized work and | | | | governing overall trade and commerce within and |
| recycling plants must conform to certain minimum | | | | beyond the EU. Manufacturers must stay abreast of |
| standards. | | | | more environmentally sound practices and current |
| Operation of captive recycling facilities may be both | | | | WEEE changes. They also need to be aware of the |
| uneconomical and beyond the core competence of | | | | implication of such changes on their businesses. |