Meet environmental compliance requirements
- 1 step
UK Statutory Instrument
2013
United Kingdom
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2013
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
95 compliance obligations, 8 practical guides across 2 topics · 3 journeys
Penalty landscape
15 of 95 obligations carry an unlimited fine. 2 carry different penalties and 78 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.
Who this Act binds
Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.
- Operator 31
- Any Person 24
- Manufacturer 22
- Distributor 4
- Occupier 1
- Trader 1
Plus 12 non-business duties on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.
Step-by-step journeys using this legislation
Walkthroughs that take you from a real business situation to compliance.
Relevant guidance
Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.
Direct — cites this Act
2 guidesSupporting — topic alignment
5 guidesMentioned in related content
1 guidesOther Acts binding the same actors
For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.
Operators also bound by 730 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 (Air Operations) 2012 138 duties
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2066 of 19 December 2018 on the monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions pursuant to Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and amending Commission Regulation (EU) No 601/2012 (Text with EEA relevance) 2018 121 duties
- Commission Regulation (EU) No 601/2012 of 21 June 2012 on the monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions pursuant to Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (Text with EEA relevance) (repealed) 2012 112 duties
- Space Industry Regulations 2021 2021 75 duties
- Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on transmissible animal diseases and amending and repealing certain acts in the area of animal health (‘Animal Health Law’) (Text with EEA relevance) 2016 66 duties
Any Person also bound by 2338 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 169 duties
- Merchant Shipping Act 1995 1995 144 duties
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 101 duties
- Road Traffic Act 1988 1988 95 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 95 duties
Manufacturers also bound by 472 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 2016 91 duties
- Lifts Regulations 2016 2016 70 duties
- The Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products and Energy Information Regulations 2021 2021 70 duties
- Non-Automatic Weighing Instruments Regulations 2016 2016 67 duties
- Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 2015 64 duties
Distributors also bound by 177 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- The Marketing of Fruit Plant and Propagating Material (England) Regulations 2017 2017 28 duties
- The Marketing of Fruit Plant and Propagating Material (Wales) Regulations 2017 2017 26 duties
- The Marketing of Fruit Plant and Propagating Material Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 2017 25 duties
- Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 2002 21 duties
- THE ELECTRICITY SAFETY, QUALITY AND CONTINUITY REGULATIONS (NORTHERN IRELAND) 2012 2012 19 duties
Occupiers also bound by 259 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- The Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021 2021 39 duties
- Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (England) (No. 2) Order 2006 2006 34 duties
- The Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 1995 34 duties
- Highways Act 1980 1980 23 duties
- Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2015 2015 18 duties
Traders also bound by 826 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Value Added Tax Regulations 1995 1995 413 duties
- Companies Act 2006 2006 243 duties
- The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 2008 114 duties
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 62 duties
- Building Societies Act 1986 1986 56 duties
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Part 1 — GENERAL
Browse 10 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Citation, commencement and extent
Interpretation
Interpretation of documents
Service of documents
Meaning of non-UK supplier
Meaning of online marketplace etc.
Meaning of producer
Meaning of “the Basic Safety Standards Directive” and “the Industrial Emissions Directive”
Modification of the Directive
Modification of the Waste Directive
Part 2
Browse 6 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Application during the transitional period
Application from 1st January 2019
Exemptions
Exclusions
First compliance period
Assimilated law etc
Part 3 — PRODUCER OBLIGATIONS
Financing: WEEE from private households
Unlimited fine- Finance the collection and disposal of household electrical waste Manufacturer
Financing: WEEE from users other than private households
- Finance costs of collecting and treating WEEE from business users Manufacturer
Obligation to join a scheme
Unlimited fine- Join a Producer Compliance Scheme for electrical and electronic equipment Manufacturer
Registration of small producers
- Register as a small producer of electrical and electronic equipment Manufacturer
Application to register as a small producer
- Register as a small producer of electrical and electronic equipment Manufacturer
Small producers: Conditions of registration
Unlimited fine- Keep records and report data if you are a small producer of EEE Manufacturer
Information provided to operators of schemes
Unlimited fine- Provide data and notify changes to your WEEE compliance scheme Manufacturer
Declaration of Compliance
- Submit a yearly WEEE Declaration of Compliance Manufacturer
Record keeping
- Keep records of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) placed on the market Manufacturer
Declaration of EEE producer registration number
- Provide your EEE producer registration number to distributors Manufacturer
Marking EEE with the crossed out wheeled bin symbol
- Mark electrical equipment with the crossed out wheeled bin symbol Manufacturer
Marking EEE with a date mark
Unlimited fine- Mark electrical equipment with a date mark Manufacturer
Information on new types of EEE
- Provide disposal and recycling information for new electrical products Manufacturer
Browse 2 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Producers supplying EEE by means of distance communication
Exception for OMP producers
Part 4 — SCHEME OBLIGATIONS
Registration of producers
- Waste scheme operators must register all members with the regulator Operator
Application to register producers and authorised representatives
- Register scheme members with the appropriate authority each year Operator
Notification of new scheme member
- Scheme operators must notify the authority of new members Operator
Financing: WEEE from private households
- Finance the collection and treatment of household electrical waste Operator
Prioritisation of the reuse of whole appliances
Unlimited fine- Prioritise the reuse of whole appliances when handling WEEE Operator
Treatment
- Set up systems for separate collection and treatment of WEEE Operator
Recovery
- Ensure waste electrical equipment is recovered or recycled Operator
Payment of a compliance fee
- Pay a compliance fee if WEEE collection targets are not met Operator
Obligation to join a PBS
- Join a Producer Compliance Scheme (PCS) for WEEE Any Person
Reporting: WEEE during the transitional period
Unlimited fine- Submit quarterly WEEE collection and delivery reports Operator
Reporting: WEEE from 1st January 2019
- Submit quarterly WEEE collection and disposal reports Operator
Reporting: EEE placed on the market during the transitional period
- Compliance schemes must report EEE data for their members Operator
Reporting: EEE placed on the market from 1st January 2019
- Scheme operators must report EEE data for their members Operator
Declaration of compliance
- Submit a yearly WEEE declaration of compliance Operator
Record keeping: transitional period
- Keep detailed records of WEEE collection and disposal Operator
Record keeping: From 1st January 2019
Unlimited fine- Maintain detailed records of WEEE collection and disposal Operator
Notification of scheme member in liquidation etc. and obligations in relation to that scheme member
- Notify the environment authority when a scheme member becomes insolvent Operator
Browse 3 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Financing: WEEE from users other than private households
Collection Arrangements
PBS: procedure for approval
Part 5 — WEEE
Takeback
Unlimited fine- Provide a free recycling 'takeback' service for electrical waste Distributor
Information
Unlimited fine- Provide WEEE disposal information to household customers Distributor
Record keeping
- Keep records of household WEEE returns and information Distributor
Browse 2 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part 6
Obligation to optimise the reuse and recycling of WEEE
- Optimise reuse and recycling when collecting or transporting WEEE Any Person
Prohibition on showing the costs of financing the collection, treatment and environmentally sound disposal of WEEE from private households
- Do not show household recycling costs to customers at the time of sale Manufacturer
Shipments of used EEE
- Keep records of exported used electrical equipment for four years Any Person
Browse 5 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Financing obligation: Collection of WEEE from users other than private households
WEEE from private households which presents a health and safety risk
Take back: WEEE from private households
Final holder right of return: WEEE from private households
Notification of an intention to retain WEEE falling within certain WEEE streams
Part 7 — APPROVAL OF PROPOSED SCHEMES AND WITHDRAWAL OF APPROVAL OF SCHEMES
Application for approval of a proposed scheme
- Apply for approval of a WEEE compliance scheme Operator
Notification of a decision to refuse to approve a proposed scheme
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Regulators must notify you of a decision to refuse a waste scheme Statutory regulator
Conditions of approval
- Comply with WEEE scheme operator conditions and notifications Operator
Browse 3 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Withdrawal of approval of a scheme
Charges
Voluntary withdrawal of the approval of a scheme
Part 8
Requirement for approval
Unlimited fine- Only issue WEEE evidence notes if you are an approved operator or exporter Operator
Application for approval
- Apply for approval as an Authorized Treatment Facility (ATF) or exporter Operator
Application for extension of approval of an exporter to an additional site
- Apply to add an export site to your WEEE approval Trader
Conditions of approval
Unlimited fine- Comply with conditions for treating or exporting electronic waste Operator
Reporting
- Submit quarterly WEEE reports and allow regulatory assessments Operator
Record keeping
- Keep records of electrical waste for four years Any Person
Browse 2 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Suspension and cancellation of approval
Charges
Part 9
Take back: Application to use existing collection facilities
- Apply to use existing WEEE take-back facilities Distributor
Evidence notes
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must approve WEEE evidence note formats Crown / Minister / Government department
Product Design
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must encourage sustainable product design Crown / Minister / Government department
Duties of the appropriate authority in relation to registration of small producers
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Environment Agency must process small producer registrations within 28 days Statutory regulator
Browse 5 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part 10
Registration of producers and authorised representatives
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Environment Agency must maintain a public register of WEEE producers Statutory regulator
Monitoring
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Environmental authorities must monitor WEEE compliance and data accuracy Statutory regulator
Approval of schemes
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Regulators must register approved WEEE schemes and invoice operators Statutory regulator
Information
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Regulators must publish national data on electrical equipment and waste Statutory regulator
Approval of authorised treatment facilities and exporters
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Regulators must publish lists of approved WEEE facilities and application forms Statutory regulator
Part 11
Disclosure of information
- Disclose confidential information obtained under WEEE regulations Any Person
Part 12
Determination of appeals
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Regulators must implement appeal decisions regarding WEEE compliance Statutory regulator
Browse 3 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part 13
Enforcement notice
Unlimited fine- Comply with WEEE enforcement notices or provide evidence of compliance Manufacturer
Entry and inspection
Unlimited fine- Disclose confidential trade‑secret information obtained during inspection Any Person
Browse 1 other section in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Enforcement
Part 14
Offences
- Fail to comply with WEEE obligations Any Person
- Various WEEE offences (non-compliance, false information, obstruction) Any Person
Penalties
Unlimited fine- Breach of WEEE regulations Any Person
- Breach WEEE Regulations (reg 90, 82, 89 etc.) Any Person
Review
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must review WEEE Regulations every five years Crown / Minister / Government department
Browse 4 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Commencement of proceedings
Consequential amendments
Transitional provisions
Revocations and Savings
Schedules
In relation to the WEEE from private households in respect...
- Include reference number and compliance declaration for WEEE from private households Manufacturer
In relation to the WEEE from users other than private...
- Issue annual declaration on WEEE from non-household users Operator
In relation to the WEEE from private households in respect...
- Include reference number and compliance statement in WEEE declaration Operator
In relation to the WEEE from users other than private...
- Submit declaration of non-household WEEE financing amounts Manufacturer
As regards EEE placed on the market by a producer...
- Report breakdown of non-UK supplier EEE within 28 days Manufacturer
For each category referred to in paragraph 22, specify the...
- Report tonnes of electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market Manufacturer
For each category referred to in paragraph 24, specify the...
- Report tonnage of EEE placed on the market by category and end use Manufacturer
For each category referred to in paragraph 29, specify the...
- Report tonnage of EEE placed on the market by category Manufacturer
The categories of EEE (set out in Schedule 1 or...
- List categories of EEE placed on the market in your registration application Manufacturer
In addition to the documentation requested in paragraphs 1, 2...
- Accompany every load of used EEE with transport document and responsibility declaration Any Person
An evidence note for reuse as a whole appliance must...
- Only issue reuse evidence notes for WEEE from specific collection routes Any Person
An evidence note must not be issued by an operator...
- Do not issue evidence notes for more WEEE than received Operator
An evidence note must not be issued by an operator...
- Do not issue evidence notes for WEEE already treated by another AATF Operator
An evidence note for reuse as a whole appliance must...
- Do not issue evidence notes for more WEEE than received for reuse Operator
An AATF must not issue an evidence note in relation...
- Do not issue evidence notes for non-obligated WEEE Occupier
An evidence note which relates to— (a) WEEE received for...
- Issue evidence notes for WEEE by 31st January deadline Operator
From 1st January 2014 until 31st December 2015 WEEE treated...
- Meet recovery and reuse/recycling targets for WEEE treatment at AATF Any Person
From 1st January 2019 WEEE treated at the relevant ATTF...
- Meet WEEE treatment recovery and recycling targets Operator
The operator of the AATF must comply with the requirements...
- Comply with regulation 66 requirements Operator
An evidence note may be issued only in relation to...
- Only issue evidence notes for WEEE meeting export and reuse criteria Any Person
Duplicate copies of an evidence note issued under these Regulations...
- Retain duplicate copies of evidence notes and make them available for inspection Any Person
An evidence note must not be issued by an approved...
- Do not issue evidence notes for excess or partially treated WEEE Any Person
An evidence note must only be issued by an approved...
- Only issue evidence notes if you're an approved exporter and use approved format Any Person
An evidence note must only be issued by an approved...
- Approved exporters must only issue evidence notes to scheme operators or specified producers Any Person
An evidence note must not be issued by an approved...
- Do not issue evidence notes after the 31st January deadline Any Person
The approved exporter must comply with the requirements of regulation...
- Approved exporters must comply with regulation 66 requirements Any Person
The approved exporter has systems and procedures in place to...
- Have systems and procedures to ensure accurate reporting data Any Person
The approved exporter must comply with the requirements of Schedule...
- Comply with Schedule 9 requirements as an approved exporter Any Person
Where an exporter has submitted an application for approval under...
- Pay additional fee if WEEE evidence notes exceed 400 tonnes Any Person
In the case of an application made by an exporter—...
- Provide detailed site and tonnage information in WEEE export applications Any Person
Confirmation of whether or not the operator of the ATF...
- Confirm any convictions under WEEE regulations on your application Operator
(1) The appeal body or other person determining an appeal...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Appeal body must notify appellant of decision and send copy to authority Tribunal / Court
Browse 144 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
Categories of EEE covered by these Regulations during the transitional period
Categories of EEE applying from 1st January 2019
Crossed out wheeled bin symbol
Information to be included in an application for registration of producers or authorised representatives and notification of new scheme members
Approval of proposed schemes and schemes
Public register
Large household appliances
Automatic dispensers.
Small household appliances
IT and telecommunications equipment
Consumer equipment and photovoltaic panels
Lighting equipment
Electrical and electronic tools (with the exception of large-scale stationary...
Toys, leisure and sports equipment
Any device (with the exception of a medical device or...
Medical devices (with the exception of all devices that are...
Monitoring and control instruments
The following amendments apply in relation to the first compliance...
Record Keeping
Take back: Application to use existing collection facilities
The name and address of the producer or authorised representative...
The relevant compliance period to which the declaration relates.
The name and title of the person who issues the...
The date of the declaration.
The relevant compliance period to which the declaration relates.
The name and address of the operator of the scheme...
The name and title of the person who issues the...
The date of the declaration.
The compliance period in respect of which the application for...
The brand name under which EEE placed onto the market...
Whether the producer is an OMP producer in relation to...
The way in which the producer meets their obligations including,...
In the case of an OMP producer required to provide...
The selling technique used.
The address for service of notices if different from the...
The business name of a scheme member if different from...
Where a scheme member is a partnership, the names of...
In the case of a claim that a scheme member...
In the case of a claim that a scheme member...
In relation to each scheme member, confirmation of whether the...
The Standard Industrial Classification (“SIC”) code for any scheme member...
Where a producer is joining a scheme for the first...
The name of the producer joining the scheme or the...
The national identification code of the producer.
The compliance period to which the reporting information relates.
The amount of EEE by reference to—
For each category referred to in paragraph 22, specify the...
For each category referred to in paragraph 22, specify the...
The national identification code of the producer.
The compliance period to which the reporting information relates.
The amount of EEE by reference to each of the...
The name of the scheme.
For each category referred to in paragraph 29, specify the...
The date of the application for registration.
The name of the producer and any brand name under...
The following contact details for the producer—
An address for service of notices on the producer if...
The name and telephone number of a contact person for...
If the producer has been registered under these Regulations within...
A signed declaration of the truth of the information provided...
The name of the operator of that scheme and, where...
The name, postal address, telephone number, email address and fax...
Where a scheme member is an authorised representative, the contact...
The national identification code of the producer, including the ...national...
The type of EEE (household or other than household EEE)...
Approval of a PBS
The name of the PBS.
That the rules of the PBS provide for the operator...
That the rules of the PBS provide that the costs...
That the rules of the PBS provide for termination in...
In the case of a PBS approved under regulation 34A(6)(b)(i),...
That the Secretary of State is satisfied that the PBS...
That the Secretary of State is satisfied that the operator...
That the Secretary of State is satisfied that the PBS...
In this Schedule— (a) “scheme operator” has the same meaning...
The name of the operator or proposed operator of the...
The address, telephone number and email address of the operator...
Where the operator or proposed operator of the PBS is...
Where the operator or proposed operator of the PBS is...
Confirmation of whether or not any person who is the...
The estimated cost of setting up (in the case of...
Qualifications and relevant experience of the operator or proposed operator...
In the case of a proposal under regulation 34A(6)(b)(i), details...
In order to distinguish between EEE and WEEE, where the...
By way of derogation, paragraph 1(a) and (b) and paragraph...
In order to demonstrate that the items being shipped constitute...
In the absence of proof that an object is used...
The name of the proposed scheme.
Details of any rules or regulations to be observed by...
Details of the procedures under which the operator of the...
Whether there is a minimum or maximum number of scheme...
Details of the eligibility criteria for membership of the proposed...
Details of how evidence notes acquired by the operator of...
Details of any arbitration procedure that will apply for the...
Details of the arrangements in place for disseminating important information...
That the rules or regulations of the proposed scheme or...
That the proposed scheme or scheme has the necessary resources...
That the operator of the proposed scheme or scheme must...
That the proposed scheme or scheme, if it has been...
The name of the operator of the proposed scheme.
That the operator of the proposed scheme or scheme must...
That the operator of the proposed scheme or scheme is...
That the proposed scheme or scheme is likely to assist...
In the event that the operator of the proposed scheme...
The address and telephone number and, where available, email address...
Where the operator of the proposed scheme is a partnership,...
The address for service of notices if different from that...
Confirmation of whether or not the operator of the proposed...
The nature of the operator of the scheme’s legal personality....
The type of relationship between the operator of the proposed...
Details of how membership fees and any other sums payable...
The name of the operator of the ATF or the...
The amount of WEEE recorded on an evidence note must...
Where— (a) the result of rounding up under paragraph 11(a)...
Duplicate copies of any evidence note issued by the operator...
An evidence note must only be issued by an AATF...
An evidence note must only be issued by an operator...
The registered office address and telephone number and, where available...
Where WEEE is treated at an AATF and is subsequently...
From 1st January 2016 until 31st December 2018 WEEE treated...
The operator of the AATF has systems and procedures in...
Where the operator of an ATF has submitted an application...
The amount of WEEE recorded on an evidence note must...
Where the operator of the ATF or exporter is a...
Where— (a) the result of rounding up under paragraph 29(a)...
Where the operator of the ATF or exporter is not...
The address for service of notices if different from that...
In the case of an application made by the operator...
An evidence note for treatment must only be issued with...
The facility is likely to subsist for at least one...
That— (a) the operator of the collection facility complies with...
The operator of the collection facility is willing to work...
The operator of the collection facility holds a relevant authorisation....
Where an operator of a collection facility finances the costs...
The information referred to in paragraph 5 will—
The producer’s or authorised representative’s name.
The address of the registered office or, where the producer...
The telephone number and email address and fax number of...
The producer’s EEE producer registration number.
The name of the scheme that the producer or authorised...
The name of the operator of that scheme and the...
(1) Where a person wishes to appeal to an appeal...
(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), notice of appeal must be...
Where under regulation 84(2) the appeal is by way of...
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
- End of Life Recycling of PV Systems | Historic England (opens in a new tab) from Historic England Detailed Guidance
- HSE: health and safety made simple (opens in a new tab) from HSE Detailed Guidance
- Environment Agency: waste carriers, brokers and dealers (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- GOV.UK: WEEE — guidance (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- GOV.UK: F gas — guidance for users, producers and traders (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- GOV.UK - Deposit Return Scheme (opens in a new tab) from DEFRA Detailed Guidance
- GOV.UK - Simpler Recycling (opens in a new tab) from Environment Agency Publication
- GOV.UK - Carrier bag charges (opens in a new tab) from DEFRA Detailed Guidance
- GOV.UK - Single-use plastics ban (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- GOV.UK - Packaging waste responsibilities (opens in a new tab) from Environment Agency Detailed Guidance
- ... and 9 more
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
Environment Agency
PrimaryEnvironmental protection in England. Regulates waste, emissions, water quality, flood risk, and environmental permits for industrial activities. Enforces environmental law and issues …
Office for Product Safety and Standards
Product safety regulator responsible for ensuring consumer products are safe. Enforces product safety regulations, UKCA marking requirements, and works with market surveillance …
Northern Ireland Environment Agency
Northern Ireland's environmental regulator. Part of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). Issues environmental permits, regulates waste and emissions, …
Natural Resources Wales
Principal environmental regulator for Wales. Combines functions of Environment Agency Wales, Countryside Council for Wales, and Forestry Commission Wales. Issues environmental permits, …
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