The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations affect almost all businesses. You need to make sure that you understand your obligations and what you must do to meet them.

You must comply with the WEEE Regulations if you:

• manufacture, import or rebrand electrical or electronic equipment (EEE)
• distribute or sell EEE
• generate any WEEE
• refurbish or repair WEEE
• treat, recycle or recover WEEE

Producing EEE

You are a producer if you:

• manufacture and sell EEE under your own brand
• resell EEE products produced by another supplier under your own brand (rebranding)
• import or export EEE into the United Kingdom or another European Union member state on a professional basis

The regulations apply to all producers regardless of their size.

Distributing EEE

You are a distributor if you sell EEE for use in households. This includes selling products via:

• retail outlets
• wholesale outlets
• mail order
• the internet
• TV shopping channels
• other distance-selling methods

Using EEE

If your business uses EEE you must deal with it correctly once you no longer need it.

Refurbishing WEEE

If your business repairs or refurbishes WEEE you may need a pollution prevention and control (PPC) permit, waste management licence or an exemption.

Treating and recycling WEEE

If your business treats, reprocesses, recovers or recycles WEEE you must have a PPC permit, waste management licence or an exemption.

Exporting WEEE

If you export WEEE for reuse, treatment or reprocessing you must comply with export controls.

Operating a producer compliance scheme (PCS)

PCS operators arrange for their members' WEEE to be collected and treated, recycled or reused. If you operate a PCS you must meet certain requirements.

The goods covered by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations fall into the following categories:

• large household appliances - for example fridges, radiators and air conditioning appliances
• small household appliances - for example sewing machines, toasters and clocks
• IT and telecommunications equipment - for example computers and their accessories, calculators and phones
• consumer equipment - for example TVs, radios and musical instruments
• lighting equipment - for example fluorescent lamps and non-household luminaires
• electrical and electronic tools - for example drills, welding equipment and lawnmowers
• toys, leisure and sports equipment - for example electric train sets, video games and slot machines
• medical devices - for example dialysis machines, ventilators and radiotherapy equipment
• monitoring and control instruments - for example smoke detectors, thermostats and other instruments used in industrial installations
• automatic dispensers - for example drinks, food and money dispensers
• display equipment
• cooling appliances containing refrigerants
• gas discharge lamps

WEEE includes equipment that has a wind-up or solar mechanism, or that runs on batteries. However, on their own, solar panels, solar panel systems and batteries are currently not covered by the WEEE Regulations.

To check if you have obligations under the Batteries Directive, see batteries responsibilities for business.

Equipment not covered by the WEEE Regulations

The regulations do not apply to:

• equipment where electricity is not the main power source through battery or mains supply - for example a gas cooker
• equipment where the electrical or electronic components are not needed to fulfil its main function - for example a musical birthday card
• equipment that is part of something that is not EEE - other waste regulations may apply to such equipment - for example the End-of-Life Vehicle Regulations cover the electrical components of vehicles
• equipment designed exclusively to protect the United Kingdom's national security and intended for specific military purposes
• filament light bulbs
• household light fittings of any kind
• large-scale, stationary industrial tools
• fixed installations
• high-voltage equipment that is designed for use with a voltage rating exceeding 1,000 volts AC or 1,500 volts DC
• implanted and infected medical equipment

The WEEE Regulations apply to finished products. Components, sub-assemblies, consumables and spares are usually exempt. However, accessories, such as headphones, computer keyboards, antennas and connecting cables, are classed as WEEE if they do not have a function by themselves and are only used with another product.

If you manufacture, rebrand or import electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), you are a producer of EEE and you must:

• join an approved producer compliance scheme
• pay for the collection, treatment, recovery and environmentally sound disposal of your market share of household waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)
• label all new electrical and electronic products with a crossed-out wheeled bin symbol and producer identification mark
• make available information to WEEE treatment and reprocessing facilities about new products put on the United Kingdom market to help with effective treatment, reuse and recycling
• give your producer registration number to distributors you supply equipment to
• keep records for at least four years, including the amounts of EEE placed on the UK market, and sales to end users in other European Union member states

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) regulates producers' obligations under the WEEE Regulations. It provides advice on how producers can meet legal requirements.

Join a producer compliance scheme

You must join an approved producer compliance scheme - there are around 40 to choose from. Alternatively, you could establish your own scheme for your business or for a group of businesses. All schemes must be approved by either the Environment Agency, NIEA or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

Design your products for recycling

You must make sure that your products comply with limits on the use of certain hazardous substances.

Your products may also have to meet energy labelling and ecodesign requirements.

You should design your products so that they can be easily repaired, recycled and dismantled. Improving the design, to make your products easier to recycle, can make it easier to meet your WEEE obligations, especially for non-household equipment.

If you are affected by WEEE regulations you may also have obligations under the Batteries Directive.

If you sell electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) to household users you must enable these customers to return waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) products on a like-for-like basis, when they purchase a new product. This is known as 'retailer take back'.

You must also provide customers with information on how they can return waste products, and keep records.

As a distributor you do not have to provide free take-back for customers who are businesses, but you may be asked to help business customers and suppliers to meet their obligations.

Provide a take-back system for household WEEE

You must provide a system that enables household customers to dispose of their WEEE free of charge. You can:

• offer in-store take back
• join the distributor take-back scheme
• provide an alternative free take-back service

You can offer free in-store take-back of old equipment when consumers buy a similar item. You should accept goods within a reasonable period, for example within 28 days of the new item being purchased. You can dispose of the WEEE you collect via a producer compliance scheme, which must accept it free of charge. However, they may charge you a collection fee.

You should approach the compliance scheme that collects WEEE from your nearest local authority civic amenity site to arrange for the proper treatment and recycling of the WEEE you receive.

If you join the nationwide distributor take-back scheme you do not need to offer in-store take-back. Membership fees are used to provide funding for local authorities operating designated collection facilities for WEEE at civic amenity sites. Read about the distributor take-back scheme on the Valpak website.

If you choose not to offer in-store take-back and do not join the distributor take-back scheme, you must provide an alternative take-back service. The service must be free and easily accessible to your customers.

Whichever method you use you must store WEEE safely and securely to prevent pollution. You must also comply with the normal waste controls when transporting WEEE.

Offer a collection on delivery scheme

You may offer a 'collection on delivery' scheme as a service to your customers, for example collecting old bulky goods when delivering new replacement goods. You can charge household customers for collection, but this must only cover the cost of transport and handling, it must not include any treatment or reprocessing costs. You must still provide either in-store take-back, an alternative free service or join the take-back scheme.

Provide WEEE information to your customers

You must provide your household customers with written information on:

• environmental impacts of the substances in new EEE and WEEE
• reasons for separating WEEE from other waste
• the meaning of the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol
• how they can safely dispose of WEEE for proper treatment and recycling free of charge

You must also display information for customers on the benefits of take-back schemes. This could be posters, leaflets or on a website.

You must keep records of the information you provide, any household WEEE that has been collected and the information provided to customers for at least four years.

Comply with other requirements

New equipment must also comply with restrictions on the use of certain hazardous substances and may have to meet energy labelling or ecodesign requirements.

If you are affected by WEEE regulations, you may also have obligations under the Batteries Directive.

If your business uses electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) you should be aware of your responsibilities when you dispose of it.

The producer of the electrical equipment is usually responsible for the cost of treating and recycling non-household waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), but business users will sometimes have to pay.

You must comply with your duty of care. This includes storing waste equipment safely, using a registered waste carrier and keeping a waste transfer note when equipment leaves your site.

Equipment bought by your business

If your business bought EEE before 13 August 2005, the waste is known as 'historic WEEE'.

If you are replacing the equipment, the producer of the replacement equipment must take your unwanted item if you request it, even if they are not the original manufacturer.

If you're not replacing the equipment, you need to make sure the WEEE is disposed of in accordance with the duty of care and hazardous waste legislation.

If your business bought equipment after 13 August 2005, the waste is known as 'non-historic WEEE'. A bar underneath the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol indicates that the WEEE is non-historic. The EEE producer is responsible for financing the treatment, reprocessing and disposal of the equipment unless both parties agree to an alternative arrangement.

If you agree with a producer to make your own arrangements to deal with WEEE, you must make sure it is treated, recycled, recovered and disposed of correctly.

If your business rents or leases EEE the organisation that provides the equipment will normally be responsible for disposing of it.

When you buy new EEE you should keep the WEEE registration number of the equipment producer. Use this to contact the producer when you need to dispose of the products. The producer's compliance scheme is responsible for the WEEE. The original producer can give you information on the take-back system available to you.

Your EEE suppliers and retailers can dispose of business WEEE for you, but they may charge you for this service.

If the EEE producer refuses to take responsibility for your waste, contact the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).

Tips for buying new electrical equipment

Before your business buys any new equipment, ask the following questions:

• Do you really need to buy a new product?
• Could you repair your existing unit?
• Can your existing device be upgraded?
• Could you buy refurbished equipment from another business?

If your business must buy new equipment, look for a product that:

• has been designed for easy recycling
• uses resources efficiently, for example it has a low energy rating
• has a low impact on the environment, for example it is made from recycled materials

If you repair or refurbish waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) you may need a pollution prevention and control (PPC) permit, waste management licence or a registered waste exemption. You must have the relevant permit, licence or exemption before you carry out this activity.

Storing WEEE for reuse, treatment or recovery elsewhere

You can register an exemption from waste management licensing to collect and store up to 80 cubic metres of each of several types of WEEE for up to three months before it is taken for recovery somewhere else. If you are storing fluorescent tubes the limit is 50 cubic metres. You must:

• store it securely to avoid damage that may prevent its reuse or treatment
• use a storage site with an appropriate weatherproof covering and impermeable surfaces, with a bund where necessary to stop hazardous substances from escaping
• comply with the conditions of your exemption

You do not need to register an exemption for storing WEEE if you are:

• a retailer taking part in an in-store take-back scheme for household WEEE
• a business storing WEEE that you have produced

Crushing waste fluorescent tubes

If you crush fluorescent tubes before they are collected for recovery you may be able to register an exemption from waste management licensing if you:

• crush up to three tonnes of waste in 24 hours
• make sure the mercury concentration in emissions does not exceed 50 microgrammes per cubic metre
• store the waste glass and mercury in secure containers under weatherproof covering

You must register this waste exemption with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA). You will need to renew the exemption every 12 months.

Repairing and refurbishing WEEE

If your business repairs or refurbishes certain WEEE you may be able to register an exemption from waste management licensing.

You can register for an exemption if you:

• handle up to five tonnes of WEEE per day
• store up to 80 cubic metres of WEEE, and no waste is stored for longer than 12 months
• store dismantled parts carefully to prevent damage
• store the components safely under waterproof covering and on impermeable surfaces
• store hazardous waste in suitable containers

NIEA will need to inspect your business premises. They will charge you a fee to cover this cost.

You will need to renew your registration every year. The renewal fee is less than the registration fee.

If you want to treat five tonnes of WEEE or more per day you will need a PPC permit or a waste management licence.

If your business treats waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) you must meet all of the following requirements:

• have a waste management licence, a pollution prevention and control (PPC) permit or an exemption
• be an authorised treatment facility (ATF) or approved authorised treatment facility (AATF)
• treat WEEE according to the guidance on best available treatment, recovery and recycling techniques

Licences and exemptions

You can apply for an exemption from waste management licensing if you:

• repair or refurbish WEEE
• store WEEE while it is waiting to be treated or recovered elsewhere
• crush waste gas discharge lamps, for example fluorescent tubes

See repairing, refurbishing and storing WEEE.

If you cannot meet the conditions of an exemption you must have a waste management licence or a PPC permit.

Authorised treatment facilities

WEEE ATFs are licensed to treat WEEE, but they cannot issue evidence notes. Evidence notes can only be issued by an AATF on their behalf.

If you want to issue evidence of receipt of WEEE to a producer compliance scheme you must apply to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and be granted approval to become an AATF.

If you are an AATF you must provide quarterly reports to the NIEA showing the amount of WEEE you have:

• received for treatment
• sent to a different facility for treatment - including details of the ATF or AATF it was sent to
• issued evidence for reuse as a whole appliance
• delivered to an approved exporter for treatment and recovery or recycling outside the United Kingdom

You must comply with the conditions of your approval and make sure that WEEE materials are recovered or recycled to the appropriate targets for each category of WEEE.

You must also provide NIEA with a report from an independent auditor confirming that the evidence notes you issued match up with the amount of WEEE you received for each approval period.

Treatment, recovery and recycling techniques

If you treat WEEE you must use the best available treatment, recovery and recycling techniques (BATRRT). BATRRT guidance.

Recovery and recycling targets for WEEE

Recycling is reprocessing waste materials in a production process for reuse.

Recovery includes activities such as:

• incineration with energy recovery
• recovery of metal and metal components
• recovery of inorganic materials, for example glass and plastic

Collecting, sorting, treating and processing WEEE is not recycling. Evidence from AATFs covering these types of activities does not show that you have met the recovery and recycling requirements.

If you recover and recycle WEEE you must meet targets for the amount of WEEE you recover and recycle. You must include evidence of this in your reports to NIEA.

WEEE recovery and recycling targets

You should export waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) only if you are sure that it will be recovered or recycled safely in the receiving country. If you are unsure, ask the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) for advice.

If you want to issue evidence of the export of WEEE for reuse to a producer compliance scheme you must apply to NIEA to become an approved exporter.

If you are an approved exporter you can only issue evidence notes for exporting WEEE if it is to be reused as a whole appliance.

If you are an approved exporter you must submit quarterly returns to NIEA. These reports must include the amount of WEEE exported for recovery, recycling and reuse as whole appliances. You must also report the amount of non-obligated WEEE you export. This is WEEE that does not come from compliance schemes.

You must also provide NIEA with reports from an independent auditor confirming that the evidence notes you issued match up with the amount of WEEE you received and exported for each approval period.

If you want to export WEEE for reuse, treatment or reprocessing you must also ensure that you comply with legislation on the shipment of waste.

Producer compliance schemes (PCS) arrange for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) to be collected and treated, recycled or reused on behalf of their members. They buy evidence from approved authorised treatment facilities (AATFs) and approved exporters (AEs) to demonstrate that the WEEE has been treated, reused or recovered. If you want to operate a PCS you must:

• apply to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) for approval
• demonstrate that you can collect and arrange the treatment and recycling of the amount of your members' WEEE obligations for at least three years

You may also need to register as a waste carrier or broker to transport or trade waste.

Requirements when operating a PCS

If you operate a PCS you must give the NIEA:

• quarterly reports, including the amount of new electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market by your producers
• a declaration of compliance supported by evidence to show how you have paid for the treatment and recycling of your members' WEEE
• an operational plan by 31 July each year
• records of the amount in tonnes of household and non-household WEEE recovered, treated and recycled

You must also:

• register each of your producer members for each compliance period
• arrange for WEEE to be collected and transported to an authorised treatment facility (ATF), AATF or AE for treatment or recovery
• ensure AATFs or AEs are treating WEEE to the required standards and enough material and components are recycled or recovered
• obtain enough evidence to show you have met your members' obligations
• co-operate with other PCSs

PCS operational plans

The operational plan must include:

• evidence that you have the money and technical expertise to operate the scheme
• details of how you plan to treat, recover and recycle household and non-household WEEE
• the designated collection facilities, AATFs and AEs you intend to use
• an estimate of the amount of WEEE you will handle

There are different obligations for collecting household WEEE and non-household WEEE - contact NIEA for further information.

Some waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is classified as hazardous waste. This includes WEEE that contains hazardous components or substances such as:

• polychlorinated biphenyls - for example in capacitors
• ozone-depleting substances - for example in fridges and freezers
• asbestos
• fluorescent tubes
• nickel cadmium batteries
• cathode ray tubes - for example in some televisions and older computer monitors

You must store waste safely and securely to prevent pollution. You must keep different types of hazardous waste separate, and hazardous waste and non-hazardous waste separate.

If you are responsible for disposing of WEEE and it contains hazardous substances you must make sure it is treated at an approved authorised treatment facility that is authorised to accept hazardous waste - find licensed waste sites in Northern Ireland.

See also dealing with hazardous waste.

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations affect almost all businesses. You need to make sure that you understand your obligations and what you must do to meet them.

You must comply with the WEEE Regulations if you:

• manufacture, import or rebrand electrical or electronic equipment (EEE)
• distribute or sell EEE
• generate any WEEE
• refurbish or repair WEEE
• treat, recycle or recover WEEE

Producing EEE

You are a producer if you:

• manufacture and sell EEE under your own brand
• resell EEE products produced by another supplier under your own brand (rebranding)
• import or export EEE into the United Kingdom or another European Union member state on a professional basis

The regulations apply to all producers regardless of their size.

Distributing EEE

You are a distributor if you sell EEE for use in households. This includes selling products via:

• retail outlets
• wholesale outlets
• mail order
• the internet
• TV shopping channels
• other distance-selling methods

Using EEE

If your business uses EEE you must deal with it correctly once you no longer need it.

Refurbishing WEEE

If your business repairs or refurbishes WEEE you may need a pollution prevention and control (PPC) permit, waste management licence or an exemption.

Treating and recycling WEEE

If your business treats, reprocesses, recovers or recycles WEEE you must have a PPC permit, waste management licence or an exemption.

Exporting WEEE

If you export WEEE for reuse, treatment or reprocessing you must comply with export controls.

Operating a producer compliance scheme (PCS)

PCS operators arrange for their members' WEEE to be collected and treated, recycled or reused. If you operate a PCS you must meet certain requirements.

The goods covered by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations fall into the following categories:

• large household appliances - for example fridges, radiators and air conditioning appliances
• small household appliances - for example sewing machines, toasters and clocks
• IT and telecommunications equipment - for example computers and their accessories, calculators and phones
• consumer equipment - for example TVs, radios and musical instruments
• lighting equipment - for example fluorescent lamps and non-household luminaires
• electrical and electronic tools - for example drills, welding equipment and lawnmowers
• toys, leisure and sports equipment - for example electric train sets, video games and slot machines
• medical devices - for example dialysis machines, ventilators and radiotherapy equipment
• monitoring and control instruments - for example smoke detectors, thermostats and other instruments used in industrial installations
• automatic dispensers - for example drinks, food and money dispensers
• display equipment
• cooling appliances containing refrigerants
• gas discharge lamps

WEEE includes equipment that has a wind-up or solar mechanism, or that runs on batteries. However, on their own, solar panels, solar panel systems and batteries are currently not covered by the WEEE Regulations.

To check if you have obligations under the Batteries Directive, see batteries responsibilities for business.

Equipment not covered by the WEEE Regulations

The regulations do not apply to:

• equipment where electricity is not the main power source through battery or mains supply - for example a gas cooker
• equipment where the electrical or electronic components are not needed to fulfil its main function - for example a musical birthday card
• equipment that is part of something that is not EEE - other waste regulations may apply to such equipment - for example the End-of-Life Vehicle Regulations cover the electrical components of vehicles
• equipment designed exclusively to protect the United Kingdom's national security and intended for specific military purposes
• filament light bulbs
• household light fittings of any kind
• large-scale, stationary industrial tools
• fixed installations
• high-voltage equipment that is designed for use with a voltage rating exceeding 1,000 volts AC or 1,500 volts DC
• implanted and infected medical equipment

The WEEE Regulations apply to finished products. Components, sub-assemblies, consumables and spares are usually exempt. However, accessories, such as headphones, computer keyboards, antennas and connecting cables, are classed as WEEE if they do not have a function by themselves and are only used with another product.

If you manufacture, rebrand or import electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), you are a producer of EEE and you must:

• join an approved producer compliance scheme
• pay for the collection, treatment, recovery and environmentally sound disposal of your market share of household waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)
• label all new electrical and electronic products with a crossed-out wheeled bin symbol and producer identification mark
• make available information to WEEE treatment and reprocessing facilities about new products put on the United Kingdom market to help with effective treatment, reuse and recycling
• give your producer registration number to distributors you supply equipment to
• keep records for at least four years, including the amounts of EEE placed on the UK market, and sales to end users in other European Union member states

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) regulates producers' obligations under the WEEE Regulations. It provides advice on how producers can meet legal requirements.

Join a producer compliance scheme

You must join an approved producer compliance scheme - there are around 40 to choose from. Alternatively, you could establish your own scheme for your business or for a group of businesses. All schemes must be approved by either the Environment Agency, NIEA or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

Design your products for recycling

You must make sure that your products comply with limits on the use of certain hazardous substances.

Your products may also have to meet energy labelling and ecodesign requirements.

You should design your products so that they can be easily repaired, recycled and dismantled. Improving the design, to make your products easier to recycle, can make it easier to meet your WEEE obligations, especially for non-household equipment.

If you are affected by WEEE regulations you may also have obligations under the Batteries Directive.

If you sell electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) to household users you must enable these customers to return waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) products on a like-for-like basis, when they purchase a new product. This is known as 'retailer take back'.

You must also provide customers with information on how they can return waste products, and keep records.

As a distributor you do not have to provide free take-back for customers who are businesses, but you may be asked to help business customers and suppliers to meet their obligations.

Provide a take-back system for household WEEE

You must provide a system that enables household customers to dispose of their WEEE free of charge. You can:

• offer in-store take back
• join the distributor take-back scheme
• provide an alternative free take-back service

You can offer free in-store take-back of old equipment when consumers buy a similar item. You should accept goods within a reasonable period, for example within 28 days of the new item being purchased. You can dispose of the WEEE you collect via a producer compliance scheme, which must accept it free of charge. However, they may charge you a collection fee.

You should approach the compliance scheme that collects WEEE from your nearest local authority civic amenity site to arrange for the proper treatment and recycling of the WEEE you receive.

If you join the nationwide distributor take-back scheme you do not need to offer in-store take-back. Membership fees are used to provide funding for local authorities operating designated collection facilities for WEEE at civic amenity sites. Read about the distributor take-back scheme on the Valpak website.

If you choose not to offer in-store take-back and do not join the distributor take-back scheme, you must provide an alternative take-back service. The service must be free and easily accessible to your customers.

Whichever method you use you must store WEEE safely and securely to prevent pollution. You must also comply with the normal waste controls when transporting WEEE.

Offer a collection on delivery scheme

You may offer a 'collection on delivery' scheme as a service to your customers, for example collecting old bulky goods when delivering new replacement goods. You can charge household customers for collection, but this must only cover the cost of transport and handling, it must not include any treatment or reprocessing costs. You must still provide either in-store take-back, an alternative free service or join the take-back scheme.

Provide WEEE information to your customers

You must provide your household customers with written information on:

• environmental impacts of the substances in new EEE and WEEE
• reasons for separating WEEE from other waste
• the meaning of the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol
• how they can safely dispose of WEEE for proper treatment and recycling free of charge

You must also display information for customers on the benefits of take-back schemes. This could be posters, leaflets or on a website.

You must keep records of the information you provide, any household WEEE that has been collected and the information provided to customers for at least four years.

Comply with other requirements

New equipment must also comply with restrictions on the use of certain hazardous substances and may have to meet energy labelling or ecodesign requirements.

If you are affected by WEEE regulations, you may also have obligations under the Batteries Directive.

If your business uses electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) you should be aware of your responsibilities when you dispose of it.

The producer of the electrical equipment is usually responsible for the cost of treating and recycling non-household waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), but business users will sometimes have to pay.

You must comply with your duty of care. This includes storing waste equipment safely, using a registered waste carrier and keeping a waste transfer note when equipment leaves your site.

Equipment bought by your business

If your business bought EEE before 13 August 2005, the waste is known as 'historic WEEE'.

If you are replacing the equipment, the producer of the replacement equipment must take your unwanted item if you request it, even if they are not the original manufacturer.

If you're not replacing the equipment, you need to make sure the WEEE is disposed of in accordance with the duty of care and hazardous waste legislation.

If your business bought equipment after 13 August 2005, the waste is known as 'non-historic WEEE'. A bar underneath the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol indicates that the WEEE is non-historic. The EEE producer is responsible for financing the treatment, reprocessing and disposal of the equipment unless both parties agree to an alternative arrangement.

If you agree with a producer to make your own arrangements to deal with WEEE, you must make sure it is treated, recycled, recovered and disposed of correctly.

If your business rents or leases EEE the organisation that provides the equipment will normally be responsible for disposing of it.

When you buy new EEE you should keep the WEEE registration number of the equipment producer. Use this to contact the producer when you need to dispose of the products. The producer's compliance scheme is responsible for the WEEE. The original producer can give you information on the take-back system available to you.

Your EEE suppliers and retailers can dispose of business WEEE for you, but they may charge you for this service.

If the EEE producer refuses to take responsibility for your waste, contact the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).

Tips for buying new electrical equipment

Before your business buys any new equipment, ask the following questions:

• Do you really need to buy a new product?
• Could you repair your existing unit?
• Can your existing device be upgraded?
• Could you buy refurbished equipment from another business?

If your business must buy new equipment, look for a product that:

• has been designed for easy recycling
• uses resources efficiently, for example it has a low energy rating
• has a low impact on the environment, for example it is made from recycled materials

If you repair or refurbish waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) you may need a pollution prevention and control (PPC) permit, waste management licence or a registered waste exemption. You must have the relevant permit, licence or exemption before you carry out this activity.

Storing WEEE for reuse, treatment or recovery elsewhere

You can register an exemption from waste management licensing to collect and store up to 80 cubic metres of each of several types of WEEE for up to three months before it is taken for recovery somewhere else. If you are storing fluorescent tubes the limit is 50 cubic metres. You must:

• store it securely to avoid damage that may prevent its reuse or treatment
• use a storage site with an appropriate weatherproof covering and impermeable surfaces, with a bund where necessary to stop hazardous substances from escaping
• comply with the conditions of your exemption

You do not need to register an exemption for storing WEEE if you are:

• a retailer taking part in an in-store take-back scheme for household WEEE
• a business storing WEEE that you have produced

Crushing waste fluorescent tubes

If you crush fluorescent tubes before they are collected for recovery you may be able to register an exemption from waste management licensing if you:

• crush up to three tonnes of waste in 24 hours
• make sure the mercury concentration in emissions does not exceed 50 microgrammes per cubic metre
• store the waste glass and mercury in secure containers under weatherproof covering

You must register this waste exemption with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA). You will need to renew the exemption every 12 months.

Repairing and refurbishing WEEE

If your business repairs or refurbishes certain WEEE you may be able to register an exemption from waste management licensing.

You can register for an exemption if you:

• handle up to five tonnes of WEEE per day
• store up to 80 cubic metres of WEEE, and no waste is stored for longer than 12 months
• store dismantled parts carefully to prevent damage
• store the components safely under waterproof covering and on impermeable surfaces
• store hazardous waste in suitable containers

NIEA will need to inspect your business premises. They will charge you a fee to cover this cost.

You will need to renew your registration every year. The renewal fee is less than the registration fee.

If you want to treat five tonnes of WEEE or more per day you will need a PPC permit or a waste management licence.

If your business treats waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) you must meet all of the following requirements:

• have a waste management licence, a pollution prevention and control (PPC) permit or an exemption
• be an authorised treatment facility (ATF) or approved authorised treatment facility (AATF)
• treat WEEE according to the guidance on best available treatment, recovery and recycling techniques

Licences and exemptions

You can apply for an exemption from waste management licensing if you:

• repair or refurbish WEEE
• store WEEE while it is waiting to be treated or recovered elsewhere
• crush waste gas discharge lamps, for example fluorescent tubes

See repairing, refurbishing and storing WEEE.

If you cannot meet the conditions of an exemption you must have a waste management licence or a PPC permit.

Authorised treatment facilities

WEEE ATFs are licensed to treat WEEE, but they cannot issue evidence notes. Evidence notes can only be issued by an AATF on their behalf.

If you want to issue evidence of receipt of WEEE to a producer compliance scheme you must apply to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and be granted approval to become an AATF.

If you are an AATF you must provide quarterly reports to the NIEA showing the amount of WEEE you have:

• received for treatment
• sent to a different facility for treatment - including details of the ATF or AATF it was sent to
• issued evidence for reuse as a whole appliance
• delivered to an approved exporter for treatment and recovery or recycling outside the United Kingdom

You must comply with the conditions of your approval and make sure that WEEE materials are recovered or recycled to the appropriate targets for each category of WEEE.

You must also provide NIEA with a report from an independent auditor confirming that the evidence notes you issued match up with the amount of WEEE you received for each approval period.

Treatment, recovery and recycling techniques

If you treat WEEE you must use the best available treatment, recovery and recycling techniques (BATRRT). BATRRT guidance.

Recovery and recycling targets for WEEE

Recycling is reprocessing waste materials in a production process for reuse.

Recovery includes activities such as:

• incineration with energy recovery
• recovery of metal and metal components
• recovery of inorganic materials, for example glass and plastic

Collecting, sorting, treating and processing WEEE is not recycling. Evidence from AATFs covering these types of activities does not show that you have met the recovery and recycling requirements.

If you recover and recycle WEEE you must meet targets for the amount of WEEE you recover and recycle. You must include evidence of this in your reports to NIEA.

WEEE recovery and recycling targets

You should export waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) only if you are sure that it will be recovered or recycled safely in the receiving country. If you are unsure, ask the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) for advice.

If you want to issue evidence of the export of WEEE for reuse to a producer compliance scheme you must apply to NIEA to become an approved exporter.

If you are an approved exporter you can only issue evidence notes for exporting WEEE if it is to be reused as a whole appliance.

If you are an approved exporter you must submit quarterly returns to NIEA. These reports must include the amount of WEEE exported for recovery, recycling and reuse as whole appliances. You must also report the amount of non-obligated WEEE you export. This is WEEE that does not come from compliance schemes.

You must also provide NIEA with reports from an independent auditor confirming that the evidence notes you issued match up with the amount of WEEE you received and exported for each approval period.

If you want to export WEEE for reuse, treatment or reprocessing you must also ensure that you comply with legislation on the shipment of waste.

Producer compliance schemes (PCS) arrange for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) to be collected and treated, recycled or reused on behalf of their members. They buy evidence from approved authorised treatment facilities (AATFs) and approved exporters (AEs) to demonstrate that the WEEE has been treated, reused or recovered. If you want to operate a PCS you must:

• apply to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) for approval
• demonstrate that you can collect and arrange the treatment and recycling of the amount of your members' WEEE obligations for at least three years

You may also need to register as a waste carrier or broker to transport or trade waste.

Requirements when operating a PCS

If you operate a PCS you must give the NIEA:

• quarterly reports, including the amount of new electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market by your producers
• a declaration of compliance supported by evidence to show how you have paid for the treatment and recycling of your members' WEEE
• an operational plan by 31 July each year
• records of the amount in tonnes of household and non-household WEEE recovered, treated and recycled

You must also:

• register each of your producer members for each compliance period
• arrange for WEEE to be collected and transported to an authorised treatment facility (ATF), AATF or AE for treatment or recovery
• ensure AATFs or AEs are treating WEEE to the required standards and enough material and components are recycled or recovered
• obtain enough evidence to show you have met your members' obligations
• co-operate with other PCSs

PCS operational plans

The operational plan must include:

• evidence that you have the money and technical expertise to operate the scheme
• details of how you plan to treat, recover and recycle household and non-household WEEE
• the designated collection facilities, AATFs and AEs you intend to use
• an estimate of the amount of WEEE you will handle

There are different obligations for collecting household WEEE and non-household WEEE - contact NIEA for further information.

Some waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is classified as hazardous waste. This includes WEEE that contains hazardous components or substances such as:

• polychlorinated biphenyls - for example in capacitors
• ozone-depleting substances - for example in fridges and freezers
• asbestos
• fluorescent tubes
• nickel cadmium batteries
• cathode ray tubes - for example in some televisions and older computer monitors

You must store waste safely and securely to prevent pollution. You must keep different types of hazardous waste separate, and hazardous waste and non-hazardous waste separate.

If you are responsible for disposing of WEEE and it contains hazardous substances you must make sure it is treated at an approved authorised treatment facility that is authorised to accept hazardous waste - find licensed waste sites in Northern Ireland.

See also dealing with hazardous waste.

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations affect almost all businesses. You need to make sure that you understand your obligations and what you must do to meet them.

You must comply with the WEEE Regulations if you:

• manufacture, import or rebrand electrical or electronic equipment (EEE)
• distribute or sell EEE
• generate any WEEE
• refurbish or repair WEEE
• treat, recycle or recover WEEE

Producing EEE

You are a producer if you:

• manufacture and sell EEE under your own brand
• resell EEE products produced by another supplier under your own brand (rebranding)
• import or export EEE into the United Kingdom or another European Union member state on a professional basis

The regulations apply to all producers regardless of their size.

Distributing EEE

You are a distributor if you sell EEE for use in households. This includes selling products via:

• retail outlets
• wholesale outlets
• mail order
• the internet
• TV shopping channels
• other distance-selling methods

Using EEE

If your business uses EEE you must deal with it correctly once you no longer need it.

Refurbishing WEEE

If your business repairs or refurbishes WEEE you may need a pollution prevention and control (PPC) permit, waste management licence or an exemption.

Treating and recycling WEEE

If your business treats, reprocesses, recovers or recycles WEEE you must have a PPC permit, waste management licence or an exemption.

Exporting WEEE

If you export WEEE for reuse, treatment or reprocessing you must comply with export controls.

Operating a producer compliance scheme (PCS)

PCS operators arrange for their members' WEEE to be collected and treated, recycled or reused. If you operate a PCS you must meet certain requirements.

The goods covered by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations fall into the following categories:

• large household appliances - for example fridges, radiators and air conditioning appliances
• small household appliances - for example sewing machines, toasters and clocks
• IT and telecommunications equipment - for example computers and their accessories, calculators and phones
• consumer equipment - for example TVs, radios and musical instruments
• lighting equipment - for example fluorescent lamps and non-household luminaires
• electrical and electronic tools - for example drills, welding equipment and lawnmowers
• toys, leisure and sports equipment - for example electric train sets, video games and slot machines
• medical devices - for example dialysis machines, ventilators and radiotherapy equipment
• monitoring and control instruments - for example smoke detectors, thermostats and other instruments used in industrial installations
• automatic dispensers - for example drinks, food and money dispensers
• display equipment
• cooling appliances containing refrigerants
• gas discharge lamps

WEEE includes equipment that has a wind-up or solar mechanism, or that runs on batteries. However, on their own, solar panels, solar panel systems and batteries are currently not covered by the WEEE Regulations.

To check if you have obligations under the Batteries Directive, see batteries responsibilities for business.

Equipment not covered by the WEEE Regulations

The regulations do not apply to:

• equipment where electricity is not the main power source through battery or mains supply - for example a gas cooker
• equipment where the electrical or electronic components are not needed to fulfil its main function - for example a musical birthday card
• equipment that is part of something that is not EEE - other waste regulations may apply to such equipment - for example the End-of-Life Vehicle Regulations cover the electrical components of vehicles
• equipment designed exclusively to protect the United Kingdom's national security and intended for specific military purposes
• filament light bulbs
• household light fittings of any kind
• large-scale, stationary industrial tools
• fixed installations
• high-voltage equipment that is designed for use with a voltage rating exceeding 1,000 volts AC or 1,500 volts DC
• implanted and infected medical equipment

The WEEE Regulations apply to finished products. Components, sub-assemblies, consumables and spares are usually exempt. However, accessories, such as headphones, computer keyboards, antennas and connecting cables, are classed as WEEE if they do not have a function by themselves and are only used with another product.

If you manufacture, rebrand or import electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), you are a producer of EEE and you must:

• join an approved producer compliance scheme
• pay for the collection, treatment, recovery and environmentally sound disposal of your market share of household waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)
• label all new electrical and electronic products with a crossed-out wheeled bin symbol and producer identification mark
• make available information to WEEE treatment and reprocessing facilities about new products put on the United Kingdom market to help with effective treatment, reuse and recycling
• give your producer registration number to distributors you supply equipment to
• keep records for at least four years, including the amounts of EEE placed on the UK market, and sales to end users in other European Union member states

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) regulates producers' obligations under the WEEE Regulations. It provides advice on how producers can meet legal requirements.

Join a producer compliance scheme

You must join an approved producer compliance scheme - there are around 40 to choose from. Alternatively, you could establish your own scheme for your business or for a group of businesses. All schemes must be approved by either the Environment Agency, NIEA or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

Design your products for recycling

You must make sure that your products comply with limits on the use of certain hazardous substances.

Your products may also have to meet energy labelling and ecodesign requirements.

You should design your products so that they can be easily repaired, recycled and dismantled. Improving the design, to make your products easier to recycle, can make it easier to meet your WEEE obligations, especially for non-household equipment.

If you are affected by WEEE regulations you may also have obligations under the Batteries Directive.

If you sell electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) to household users you must enable these customers to return waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) products on a like-for-like basis, when they purchase a new product. This is known as 'retailer take back'.

You must also provide customers with information on how they can return waste products, and keep records.

As a distributor you do not have to provide free take-back for customers who are businesses, but you may be asked to help business customers and suppliers to meet their obligations.

Provide a take-back system for household WEEE

You must provide a system that enables household customers to dispose of their WEEE free of charge. You can:

• offer in-store take back
• join the distributor take-back scheme
• provide an alternative free take-back service

You can offer free in-store take-back of old equipment when consumers buy a similar item. You should accept goods within a reasonable period, for example within 28 days of the new item being purchased. You can dispose of the WEEE you collect via a producer compliance scheme, which must accept it free of charge. However, they may charge you a collection fee.

You should approach the compliance scheme that collects WEEE from your nearest local authority civic amenity site to arrange for the proper treatment and recycling of the WEEE you receive.

If you join the nationwide distributor take-back scheme you do not need to offer in-store take-back. Membership fees are used to provide funding for local authorities operating designated collection facilities for WEEE at civic amenity sites. Read about the distributor take-back scheme on the Valpak website.

If you choose not to offer in-store take-back and do not join the distributor take-back scheme, you must provide an alternative take-back service. The service must be free and easily accessible to your customers.

Whichever method you use you must store WEEE safely and securely to prevent pollution. You must also comply with the normal waste controls when transporting WEEE.

Offer a collection on delivery scheme

You may offer a 'collection on delivery' scheme as a service to your customers, for example collecting old bulky goods when delivering new replacement goods. You can charge household customers for collection, but this must only cover the cost of transport and handling, it must not include any treatment or reprocessing costs. You must still provide either in-store take-back, an alternative free service or join the take-back scheme.

Provide WEEE information to your customers

You must provide your household customers with written information on:

• environmental impacts of the substances in new EEE and WEEE
• reasons for separating WEEE from other waste
• the meaning of the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol
• how they can safely dispose of WEEE for proper treatment and recycling free of charge

You must also display information for customers on the benefits of take-back schemes. This could be posters, leaflets or on a website.

You must keep records of the information you provide, any household WEEE that has been collected and the information provided to customers for at least four years.

Comply with other requirements

New equipment must also comply with restrictions on the use of certain hazardous substances and may have to meet energy labelling or ecodesign requirements.

If you are affected by WEEE regulations, you may also have obligations under the Batteries Directive.

If your business uses electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) you should be aware of your responsibilities when you dispose of it.

The producer of the electrical equipment is usually responsible for the cost of treating and recycling non-household waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), but business users will sometimes have to pay.

You must comply with your duty of care. This includes storing waste equipment safely, using a registered waste carrier and keeping a waste transfer note when equipment leaves your site.

Equipment bought by your business

If your business bought EEE before 13 August 2005, the waste is known as 'historic WEEE'.

If you are replacing the equipment, the producer of the replacement equipment must take your unwanted item if you request it, even if they are not the original manufacturer.

If you're not replacing the equipment, you need to make sure the WEEE is disposed of in accordance with the duty of care and hazardous waste legislation.

If your business bought equipment after 13 August 2005, the waste is known as 'non-historic WEEE'. A bar underneath the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol indicates that the WEEE is non-historic. The EEE producer is responsible for financing the treatment, reprocessing and disposal of the equipment unless both parties agree to an alternative arrangement.

If you agree with a producer to make your own arrangements to deal with WEEE, you must make sure it is treated, recycled, recovered and disposed of correctly.

If your business rents or leases EEE the organisation that provides the equipment will normally be responsible for disposing of it.

When you buy new EEE you should keep the WEEE registration number of the equipment producer. Use this to contact the producer when you need to dispose of the products. The producer's compliance scheme is responsible for the WEEE. The original producer can give you information on the take-back system available to you.

Your EEE suppliers and retailers can dispose of business WEEE for you, but they may charge you for this service.

If the EEE producer refuses to take responsibility for your waste, contact the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).

Tips for buying new electrical equipment

Before your business buys any new equipment, ask the following questions:

• Do you really need to buy a new product?
• Could you repair your existing unit?
• Can your existing device be upgraded?
• Could you buy refurbished equipment from another business?

If your business must buy new equipment, look for a product that:

• has been designed for easy recycling
• uses resources efficiently, for example it has a low energy rating
• has a low impact on the environment, for example it is made from recycled materials

If you repair or refurbish waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) you may need a pollution prevention and control (PPC) permit, waste management licence or a registered waste exemption. You must have the relevant permit, licence or exemption before you carry out this activity.

Storing WEEE for reuse, treatment or recovery elsewhere

You can register an exemption from waste management licensing to collect and store up to 80 cubic metres of each of several types of WEEE for up to three months before it is taken for recovery somewhere else. If you are storing fluorescent tubes the limit is 50 cubic metres. You must:

• store it securely to avoid damage that may prevent its reuse or treatment
• use a storage site with an appropriate weatherproof covering and impermeable surfaces, with a bund where necessary to stop hazardous substances from escaping
• comply with the conditions of your exemption

You do not need to register an exemption for storing WEEE if you are:

• a retailer taking part in an in-store take-back scheme for household WEEE
• a business storing WEEE that you have produced

Crushing waste fluorescent tubes

If you crush fluorescent tubes before they are collected for recovery you may be able to register an exemption from waste management licensing if you:

• crush up to three tonnes of waste in 24 hours
• make sure the mercury concentration in emissions does not exceed 50 microgrammes per cubic metre
• store the waste glass and mercury in secure containers under weatherproof covering

You must register this waste exemption with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA). You will need to renew the exemption every 12 months.

Repairing and refurbishing WEEE

If your business repairs or refurbishes certain WEEE you may be able to register an exemption from waste management licensing.

You can register for an exemption if you:

• handle up to five tonnes of WEEE per day
• store up to 80 cubic metres of WEEE, and no waste is stored for longer than 12 months
• store dismantled parts carefully to prevent damage
• store the components safely under waterproof covering and on impermeable surfaces
• store hazardous waste in suitable containers

NIEA will need to inspect your business premises. They will charge you a fee to cover this cost.

You will need to renew your registration every year. The renewal fee is less than the registration fee.

If you want to treat five tonnes of WEEE or more per day you will need a PPC permit or a waste management licence.

If your business treats waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) you must meet all of the following requirements:

• have a waste management licence, a pollution prevention and control (PPC) permit or an exemption
• be an authorised treatment facility (ATF) or approved authorised treatment facility (AATF)
• treat WEEE according to the guidance on best available treatment, recovery and recycling techniques

Licences and exemptions

You can apply for an exemption from waste management licensing if you:

• repair or refurbish WEEE
• store WEEE while it is waiting to be treated or recovered elsewhere
• crush waste gas discharge lamps, for example fluorescent tubes

See repairing, refurbishing and storing WEEE.

If you cannot meet the conditions of an exemption you must have a waste management licence or a PPC permit.

Authorised treatment facilities

WEEE ATFs are licensed to treat WEEE, but they cannot issue evidence notes. Evidence notes can only be issued by an AATF on their behalf.

If you want to issue evidence of receipt of WEEE to a producer compliance scheme you must apply to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and be granted approval to become an AATF.

If you are an AATF you must provide quarterly reports to the NIEA showing the amount of WEEE you have:

• received for treatment
• sent to a different facility for treatment - including details of the ATF or AATF it was sent to
• issued evidence for reuse as a whole appliance
• delivered to an approved exporter for treatment and recovery or recycling outside the United Kingdom

You must comply with the conditions of your approval and make sure that WEEE materials are recovered or recycled to the appropriate targets for each category of WEEE.

You must also provide NIEA with a report from an independent auditor confirming that the evidence notes you issued match up with the amount of WEEE you received for each approval period.

Treatment, recovery and recycling techniques

If you treat WEEE you must use the best available treatment, recovery and recycling techniques (BATRRT). BATRRT guidance.

Recovery and recycling targets for WEEE

Recycling is reprocessing waste materials in a production process for reuse.

Recovery includes activities such as:

• incineration with energy recovery
• recovery of metal and metal components
• recovery of inorganic materials, for example glass and plastic

Collecting, sorting, treating and processing WEEE is not recycling. Evidence from AATFs covering these types of activities does not show that you have met the recovery and recycling requirements.

If you recover and recycle WEEE you must meet targets for the amount of WEEE you recover and recycle. You must include evidence of this in your reports to NIEA.

WEEE recovery and recycling targets

You should export waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) only if you are sure that it will be recovered or recycled safely in the receiving country. If you are unsure, ask the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) for advice.

If you want to issue evidence of the export of WEEE for reuse to a producer compliance scheme you must apply to NIEA to become an approved exporter.

If you are an approved exporter you can only issue evidence notes for exporting WEEE if it is to be reused as a whole appliance.

If you are an approved exporter you must submit quarterly returns to NIEA. These reports must include the amount of WEEE exported for recovery, recycling and reuse as whole appliances. You must also report the amount of non-obligated WEEE you export. This is WEEE that does not come from compliance schemes.

You must also provide NIEA with reports from an independent auditor confirming that the evidence notes you issued match up with the amount of WEEE you received and exported for each approval period.

If you want to export WEEE for reuse, treatment or reprocessing you must also ensure that you comply with legislation on the shipment of waste.

Producer compliance schemes (PCS) arrange for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) to be collected and treated, recycled or reused on behalf of their members. They buy evidence from approved authorised treatment facilities (AATFs) and approved exporters (AEs) to demonstrate that the WEEE has been treated, reused or recovered. If you want to operate a PCS you must:

• apply to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) for approval
• demonstrate that you can collect and arrange the treatment and recycling of the amount of your members' WEEE obligations for at least three years

You may also need to register as a waste carrier or broker to transport or trade waste.

Requirements when operating a PCS

If you operate a PCS you must give the NIEA:

• quarterly reports, including the amount of new electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market by your producers
• a declaration of compliance supported by evidence to show how you have paid for the treatment and recycling of your members' WEEE
• an operational plan by 31 July each year
• records of the amount in tonnes of household and non-household WEEE recovered, treated and recycled

You must also:

• register each of your producer members for each compliance period
• arrange for WEEE to be collected and transported to an authorised treatment facility (ATF), AATF or AE for treatment or recovery
• ensure AATFs or AEs are treating WEEE to the required standards and enough material and components are recycled or recovered
• obtain enough evidence to show you have met your members' obligations
• co-operate with other PCSs

PCS operational plans

The operational plan must include:

• evidence that you have the money and technical expertise to operate the scheme
• details of how you plan to treat, recover and recycle household and non-household WEEE
• the designated collection facilities, AATFs and AEs you intend to use
• an estimate of the amount of WEEE you will handle

There are different obligations for collecting household WEEE and non-household WEEE - contact NIEA for further information.

Some waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is classified as hazardous waste. This includes WEEE that contains hazardous components or substances such as:

• polychlorinated biphenyls - for example in capacitors
• ozone-depleting substances - for example in fridges and freezers
• asbestos
• fluorescent tubes
• nickel cadmium batteries
• cathode ray tubes - for example in some televisions and older computer monitors

You must store waste safely and securely to prevent pollution. You must keep different types of hazardous waste separate, and hazardous waste and non-hazardous waste separate.

If you are responsible for disposing of WEEE and it contains hazardous substances you must make sure it is treated at an approved authorised treatment facility that is authorised to accept hazardous waste - find licensed waste sites in Northern Ireland.

See also dealing with hazardous waste.

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations affect almost all businesses. You need to make sure that you understand your obligations and what you must do to meet them.

You must comply with the WEEE Regulations if you:

• manufacture, import or rebrand electrical or electronic equipment (EEE)
• distribute or sell EEE
• generate any WEEE
• refurbish or repair WEEE
• treat, recycle or recover WEEE

Producing EEE

You are a producer if you:

• manufacture and sell EEE under your own brand
• resell EEE products produced by another supplier under your own brand (rebranding)
• import or export EEE into the United Kingdom or another European Union member state on a professional basis

The regulations apply to all producers regardless of their size.

Distributing EEE

You are a distributor if you sell EEE for use in households. This includes selling products via:

• retail outlets
• wholesale outlets
• mail order
• the internet
• TV shopping channels
• other distance-selling methods

Using EEE

If your business uses EEE you must deal with it correctly once you no longer need it.

Refurbishing WEEE

If your business repairs or refurbishes WEEE you may need a pollution prevention and control (PPC) permit, waste management licence or an exemption.

Treating and recycling WEEE

If your business treats, reprocesses, recovers or recycles WEEE you must have a PPC permit, waste management licence or an exemption.

Exporting WEEE

If you export WEEE for reuse, treatment or reprocessing you must comply with export controls.

Operating a producer compliance scheme (PCS)

PCS operators arrange for their members' WEEE to be collected and treated, recycled or reused. If you operate a PCS you must meet certain requirements.

The goods covered by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations fall into the following categories:

• large household appliances - for example fridges, radiators and air conditioning appliances
• small household appliances - for example sewing machines, toasters and clocks
• IT and telecommunications equipment - for example computers and their accessories, calculators and phones
• consumer equipment - for example TVs, radios and musical instruments
• lighting equipment - for example fluorescent lamps and non-household luminaires
• electrical and electronic tools - for example drills, welding equipment and lawnmowers
• toys, leisure and sports equipment - for example electric train sets, video games and slot machines
• medical devices - for example dialysis machines, ventilators and radiotherapy equipment
• monitoring and control instruments - for example smoke detectors, thermostats and other instruments used in industrial installations
• automatic dispensers - for example drinks, food and money dispensers
• display equipment
• cooling appliances containing refrigerants
• gas discharge lamps

WEEE includes equipment that has a wind-up or solar mechanism, or that runs on batteries. However, on their own, solar panels, solar panel systems and batteries are currently not covered by the WEEE Regulations.

To check if you have obligations under the Batteries Directive, see batteries responsibilities for business.

Equipment not covered by the WEEE Regulations

The regulations do not apply to:

• equipment where electricity is not the main power source through battery or mains supply - for example a gas cooker
• equipment where the electrical or electronic components are not needed to fulfil its main function - for example a musical birthday card
• equipment that is part of something that is not EEE - other waste regulations may apply to such equipment - for example the End-of-Life Vehicle Regulations cover the electrical components of vehicles
• equipment designed exclusively to protect the United Kingdom's national security and intended for specific military purposes
• filament light bulbs
• household light fittings of any kind
• large-scale, stationary industrial tools
• fixed installations
• high-voltage equipment that is designed for use with a voltage rating exceeding 1,000 volts AC or 1,500 volts DC
• implanted and infected medical equipment

The WEEE Regulations apply to finished products. Components, sub-assemblies, consumables and spares are usually exempt. However, accessories, such as headphones, computer keyboards, antennas and connecting cables, are classed as WEEE if they do not have a function by themselves and are only used with another product.

If you manufacture, rebrand or import electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), you are a producer of EEE and you must:

• join an approved producer compliance scheme
• pay for the collection, treatment, recovery and environmentally sound disposal of your market share of household waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)
• label all new electrical and electronic products with a crossed-out wheeled bin symbol and producer identification mark
• make available information to WEEE treatment and reprocessing facilities about new products put on the United Kingdom market to help with effective treatment, reuse and recycling
• give your producer registration number to distributors you supply equipment to
• keep records for at least four years, including the amounts of EEE placed on the UK market, and sales to end users in other European Union member states

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) regulates producers' obligations under the WEEE Regulations. It provides advice on how producers can meet legal requirements.

Join a producer compliance scheme

You must join an approved producer compliance scheme - there are around 40 to choose from. Alternatively, you could establish your own scheme for your business or for a group of businesses. All schemes must be approved by either the Environment Agency, NIEA or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

Design your products for recycling

You must make sure that your products comply with limits on the use of certain hazardous substances.

Your products may also have to meet energy labelling and ecodesign requirements.

You should design your products so that they can be easily repaired, recycled and dismantled. Improving the design, to make your products easier to recycle, can make it easier to meet your WEEE obligations, especially for non-household equipment.

If you are affected by WEEE regulations you may also have obligations under the Batteries Directive.

If you sell electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) to household users you must enable these customers to return waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) products on a like-for-like basis, when they purchase a new product. This is known as 'retailer take back'.

You must also provide customers with information on how they can return waste products, and keep records.

As a distributor you do not have to provide free take-back for customers who are businesses, but you may be asked to help business customers and suppliers to meet their obligations.

Provide a take-back system for household WEEE

You must provide a system that enables household customers to dispose of their WEEE free of charge. You can:

• offer in-store take back
• join the distributor take-back scheme
• provide an alternative free take-back service

You can offer free in-store take-back of old equipment when consumers buy a similar item. You should accept goods within a reasonable period, for example within 28 days of the new item being purchased. You can dispose of the WEEE you collect via a producer compliance scheme, which must accept it free of charge. However, they may charge you a collection fee.

You should approach the compliance scheme that collects WEEE from your nearest local authority civic amenity site to arrange for the proper treatment and recycling of the WEEE you receive.

If you join the nationwide distributor take-back scheme you do not need to offer in-store take-back. Membership fees are used to provide funding for local authorities operating designated collection facilities for WEEE at civic amenity sites. Read about the distributor take-back scheme on the Valpak website.

If you choose not to offer in-store take-back and do not join the distributor take-back scheme, you must provide an alternative take-back service. The service must be free and easily accessible to your customers.

Whichever method you use you must store WEEE safely and securely to prevent pollution. You must also comply with the normal waste controls when transporting WEEE.

Offer a collection on delivery scheme

You may offer a 'collection on delivery' scheme as a service to your customers, for example collecting old bulky goods when delivering new replacement goods. You can charge household customers for collection, but this must only cover the cost of transport and handling, it must not include any treatment or reprocessing costs. You must still provide either in-store take-back, an alternative free service or join the take-back scheme.

Provide WEEE information to your customers

You must provide your household customers with written information on:

• environmental impacts of the substances in new EEE and WEEE
• reasons for separating WEEE from other waste
• the meaning of the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol
• how they can safely dispose of WEEE for proper treatment and recycling free of charge

You must also display information for customers on the benefits of take-back schemes. This could be posters, leaflets or on a website.

You must keep records of the information you provide, any household WEEE that has been collected and the information provided to customers for at least four years.

Comply with other requirements

New equipment must also comply with restrictions on the use of certain hazardous substances and may have to meet energy labelling or ecodesign requirements.

If you are affected by WEEE regulations, you may also have obligations under the Batteries Directive.

If your business uses electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) you should be aware of your responsibilities when you dispose of it.

The producer of the electrical equipment is usually responsible for the cost of treating and recycling non-household waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), but business users will sometimes have to pay.

You must comply with your duty of care. This includes storing waste equipment safely, using a registered waste carrier and keeping a waste transfer note when equipment leaves your site.

Equipment bought by your business

If your business bought EEE before 13 August 2005, the waste is known as 'historic WEEE'.

If you are replacing the equipment, the producer of the replacement equipment must take your unwanted item if you request it, even if they are not the original manufacturer.

If you're not replacing the equipment, you need to make sure the WEEE is disposed of in accordance with the duty of care and hazardous waste legislation.

If your business bought equipment after 13 August 2005, the waste is known as 'non-historic WEEE'. A bar underneath the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol indicates that the WEEE is non-historic. The EEE producer is responsible for financing the treatment, reprocessing and disposal of the equipment unless both parties agree to an alternative arrangement.

If you agree with a producer to make your own arrangements to deal with WEEE, you must make sure it is treated, recycled, recovered and disposed of correctly.

If your business rents or leases EEE the organisation that provides the equipment will normally be responsible for disposing of it.

When you buy new EEE you should keep the WEEE registration number of the equipment producer. Use this to contact the producer when you need to dispose of the products. The producer's compliance scheme is responsible for the WEEE. The original producer can give you information on the take-back system available to you.

Your EEE suppliers and retailers can dispose of business WEEE for you, but they may charge you for this service.

If the EEE producer refuses to take responsibility for your waste, contact the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).

Tips for buying new electrical equipment

Before your business buys any new equipment, ask the following questions:

• Do you really need to buy a new product?
• Could you repair your existing unit?
• Can your existing device be upgraded?
• Could you buy refurbished equipment from another business?

If your business must buy new equipment, look for a product that:

• has been designed for easy recycling
• uses resources efficiently, for example it has a low energy rating
• has a low impact on the environment, for example it is made from recycled materials

If you repair or refurbish waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) you may need a pollution prevention and control (PPC) permit, waste management licence or a registered waste exemption. You must have the relevant permit, licence or exemption before you carry out this activity.

Storing WEEE for reuse, treatment or recovery elsewhere

You can register an exemption from waste management licensing to collect and store up to 80 cubic metres of each of several types of WEEE for up to three months before it is taken for recovery somewhere else. If you are storing fluorescent tubes the limit is 50 cubic metres. You must:

• store it securely to avoid damage that may prevent its reuse or treatment
• use a storage site with an appropriate weatherproof covering and impermeable surfaces, with a bund where necessary to stop hazardous substances from escaping
• comply with the conditions of your exemption

You do not need to register an exemption for storing WEEE if you are:

• a retailer taking part in an in-store take-back scheme for household WEEE
• a business storing WEEE that you have produced

Crushing waste fluorescent tubes

If you crush fluorescent tubes before they are collected for recovery you may be able to register an exemption from waste management licensing if you:

• crush up to three tonnes of waste in 24 hours
• make sure the mercury concentration in emissions does not exceed 50 microgrammes per cubic metre
• store the waste glass and mercury in secure containers under weatherproof covering

You must register this waste exemption with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA). You will need to renew the exemption every 12 months.

Repairing and refurbishing WEEE

If your business repairs or refurbishes certain WEEE you may be able to register an exemption from waste management licensing.

You can register for an exemption if you:

• handle up to five tonnes of WEEE per day
• store up to 80 cubic metres of WEEE, and no waste is stored for longer than 12 months
• store dismantled parts carefully to prevent damage
• store the components safely under waterproof covering and on impermeable surfaces
• store hazardous waste in suitable containers

NIEA will need to inspect your business premises. They will charge you a fee to cover this cost.

You will need to renew your registration every year. The renewal fee is less than the registration fee.

If you want to treat five tonnes of WEEE or more per day you will need a PPC permit or a waste management licence.

If your business treats waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) you must meet all of the following requirements:

• have a waste management licence, a pollution prevention and control (PPC) permit or an exemption
• be an authorised treatment facility (ATF) or approved authorised treatment facility (AATF)
• treat WEEE according to the guidance on best available treatment, recovery and recycling techniques

Licences and exemptions

You can apply for an exemption from waste management licensing if you:

• repair or refurbish WEEE
• store WEEE while it is waiting to be treated or recovered elsewhere
• crush waste gas discharge lamps, for example fluorescent tubes

See repairing, refurbishing and storing WEEE.

If you cannot meet the conditions of an exemption you must have a waste management licence or a PPC permit.

Authorised treatment facilities

WEEE ATFs are licensed to treat WEEE, but they cannot issue evidence notes. Evidence notes can only be issued by an AATF on their behalf.

If you want to issue evidence of receipt of WEEE to a producer compliance scheme you must apply to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and be granted approval to become an AATF.

If you are an AATF you must provide quarterly reports to the NIEA showing the amount of WEEE you have:

• received for treatment
• sent to a different facility for treatment - including details of the ATF or AATF it was sent to
• issued evidence for reuse as a whole appliance
• delivered to an approved exporter for treatment and recovery or recycling outside the United Kingdom

You must comply with the conditions of your approval and make sure that WEEE materials are recovered or recycled to the appropriate targets for each category of WEEE.

You must also provide NIEA with a report from an independent auditor confirming that the evidence notes you issued match up with the amount of WEEE you received for each approval period.

Treatment, recovery and recycling techniques

If you treat WEEE you must use the best available treatment, recovery and recycling techniques (BATRRT). BATRRT guidance.

Recovery and recycling targets for WEEE

Recycling is reprocessing waste materials in a production process for reuse.

Recovery includes activities such as:

• incineration with energy recovery
• recovery of metal and metal components
• recovery of inorganic materials, for example glass and plastic

Collecting, sorting, treating and processing WEEE is not recycling. Evidence from AATFs covering these types of activities does not show that you have met the recovery and recycling requirements.

If you recover and recycle WEEE you must meet targets for the amount of WEEE you recover and recycle. You must include evidence of this in your reports to NIEA.

WEEE recovery and recycling targets

You should export waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) only if you are sure that it will be recovered or recycled safely in the receiving country. If you are unsure, ask the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) for advice.

If you want to issue evidence of the export of WEEE for reuse to a producer compliance scheme you must apply to NIEA to become an approved exporter.

If you are an approved exporter you can only issue evidence notes for exporting WEEE if it is to be reused as a whole appliance.

If you are an approved exporter you must submit quarterly returns to NIEA. These reports must include the amount of WEEE exported for recovery, recycling and reuse as whole appliances. You must also report the amount of non-obligated WEEE you export. This is WEEE that does not come from compliance schemes.

You must also provide NIEA with reports from an independent auditor confirming that the evidence notes you issued match up with the amount of WEEE you received and exported for each approval period.

If you want to export WEEE for reuse, treatment or reprocessing you must also ensure that you comply with legislation on the shipment of waste.

Producer compliance schemes (PCS) arrange for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) to be collected and treated, recycled or reused on behalf of their members. They buy evidence from approved authorised treatment facilities (AATFs) and approved exporters (AEs) to demonstrate that the WEEE has been treated, reused or recovered. If you want to operate a PCS you must:

• apply to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) for approval
• demonstrate that you can collect and arrange the treatment and recycling of the amount of your members' WEEE obligations for at least three years

You may also need to register as a waste carrier or broker to transport or trade waste.

Requirements when operating a PCS

If you operate a PCS you must give the NIEA:

• quarterly reports, including the amount of new electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market by your producers
• a declaration of compliance supported by evidence to show how you have paid for the treatment and recycling of your members' WEEE
• an operational plan by 31 July each year
• records of the amount in tonnes of household and non-household WEEE recovered, treated and recycled

You must also:

• register each of your producer members for each compliance period
• arrange for WEEE to be collected and transported to an authorised treatment facility (ATF), AATF or AE for treatment or recovery
• ensure AATFs or AEs are treating WEEE to the required standards and enough material and components are recycled or recovered
• obtain enough evidence to show you have met your members' obligations
• co-operate with other PCSs

PCS operational plans

The operational plan must include:

• evidence that you have the money and technical expertise to operate the scheme
• details of how you plan to treat, recover and recycle household and non-household WEEE
• the designated collection facilities, AATFs and AEs you intend to use
• an estimate of the amount of WEEE you will handle

There are different obligations for collecting household WEEE and non-household WEEE - contact NIEA for further information.

Some waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is classified as hazardous waste. This includes WEEE that contains hazardous components or substances such as:

• polychlorinated biphenyls - for example in capacitors
• ozone-depleting substances - for example in fridges and freezers
• asbestos
• fluorescent tubes
• nickel cadmium batteries
• cathode ray tubes - for example in some televisions and older computer monitors

You must store waste safely and securely to prevent pollution. You must keep different types of hazardous waste separate, and hazardous waste and non-hazardous waste separate.

If you are responsible for disposing of WEEE and it contains hazardous substances you must make sure it is treated at an approved authorised treatment facility that is authorised to accept hazardous waste - find licensed waste sites in Northern Ireland.

See also dealing with hazardous waste.

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations affect almost all businesses. You need to make sure that you understand your obligations and what you must do to meet them.

You must comply with the WEEE Regulations if you:

• manufacture, import or rebrand electrical or electronic equipment (EEE)
• distribute or sell EEE
• generate any WEEE
• refurbish or repair WEEE
• treat, recycle or recover WEEE

Producing EEE

You are a producer if you:

• manufacture and sell EEE under your own brand
• resell EEE products produced by another supplier under your own brand (rebranding)
• import or export EEE into the United Kingdom or another European Union member state on a professional basis

The regulations apply to all producers regardless of their size.

Distributing EEE

You are a distributor if you sell EEE for use in households. This includes selling products via:

• retail outlets
• wholesale outlets
• mail order
• the internet
• TV shopping channels
• other distance-selling methods

Using EEE

If your business uses EEE you must deal with it correctly once you no longer need it.

Refurbishing WEEE

If your business repairs or refurbishes WEEE you may need a pollution prevention and control (PPC) permit, waste management licence or an exemption.

Treating and recycling WEEE

If your business treats, reprocesses, recovers or recycles WEEE you must have a PPC permit, waste management licence or an exemption.

Exporting WEEE

If you export WEEE for reuse, treatment or reprocessing you must comply with export controls.

Operating a producer compliance scheme (PCS)

PCS operators arrange for their members' WEEE to be collected and treated, recycled or reused. If you operate a PCS you must meet certain requirements.

The goods covered by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations fall into the following categories:

• large household appliances - for example fridges, radiators and air conditioning appliances
• small household appliances - for example sewing machines, toasters and clocks
• IT and telecommunications equipment - for example computers and their accessories, calculators and phones
• consumer equipment - for example TVs, radios and musical instruments
• lighting equipment - for example fluorescent lamps and non-household luminaires
• electrical and electronic tools - for example drills, welding equipment and lawnmowers
• toys, leisure and sports equipment - for example electric train sets, video games and slot machines
• medical devices - for example dialysis machines, ventilators and radiotherapy equipment
• monitoring and control instruments - for example smoke detectors, thermostats and other instruments used in industrial installations
• automatic dispensers - for example drinks, food and money dispensers
• display equipment
• cooling appliances containing refrigerants
• gas discharge lamps

WEEE includes equipment that has a wind-up or solar mechanism, or that runs on batteries. However, on their own, solar panels, solar panel systems and batteries are currently not covered by the WEEE Regulations.

To check if you have obligations under the Batteries Directive, see batteries responsibilities for business.

Equipment not covered by the WEEE Regulations

The regulations do not apply to:

• equipment where electricity is not the main power source through battery or mains supply - for example a gas cooker
• equipment where the electrical or electronic components are not needed to fulfil its main function - for example a musical birthday card
• equipment that is part of something that is not EEE - other waste regulations may apply to such equipment - for example the End-of-Life Vehicle Regulations cover the electrical components of vehicles
• equipment designed exclusively to protect the United Kingdom's national security and intended for specific military purposes
• filament light bulbs
• household light fittings of any kind
• large-scale, stationary industrial tools
• fixed installations
• high-voltage equipment that is designed for use with a voltage rating exceeding 1,000 volts AC or 1,500 volts DC
• implanted and infected medical equipment

The WEEE Regulations apply to finished products. Components, sub-assemblies, consumables and spares are usually exempt. However, accessories, such as headphones, computer keyboards, antennas and connecting cables, are classed as WEEE if they do not have a function by themselves and are only used with another product.

If you manufacture, rebrand or import electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), you are a producer of EEE and you must:

• join an approved producer compliance scheme
• pay for the collection, treatment, recovery and environmentally sound disposal of your market share of household waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)
• label all new electrical and electronic products with a crossed-out wheeled bin symbol and producer identification mark
• make available information to WEEE treatment and reprocessing facilities about new products put on the United Kingdom market to help with effective treatment, reuse and recycling
• give your producer registration number to distributors you supply equipment to
• keep records for at least four years, including the amounts of EEE placed on the UK market, and sales to end users in other European Union member states

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) regulates producers' obligations under the WEEE Regulations. It provides advice on how producers can meet legal requirements.

Join a producer compliance scheme

You must join an approved producer compliance scheme - there are around 40 to choose from. Alternatively, you could establish your own scheme for your business or for a group of businesses. All schemes must be approved by either the Environment Agency, NIEA or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

Design your products for recycling

You must make sure that your products comply with limits on the use of certain hazardous substances.

Your products may also have to meet energy labelling and ecodesign requirements.

You should design your products so that they can be easily repaired, recycled and dismantled. Improving the design, to make your products easier to recycle, can make it easier to meet your WEEE obligations, especially for non-household equipment.

If you are affected by WEEE regulations you may also have obligations under the Batteries Directive.

If you sell electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) to household users you must enable these customers to return waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) products on a like-for-like basis, when they purchase a new product. This is known as 'retailer take back'.

You must also provide customers with information on how they can return waste products, and keep records.

As a distributor you do not have to provide free take-back for customers who are businesses, but you may be asked to help business customers and suppliers to meet their obligations.

Provide a take-back system for household WEEE

You must provide a system that enables household customers to dispose of their WEEE free of charge. You can:

• offer in-store take back
• join the distributor take-back scheme
• provide an alternative free take-back service

You can offer free in-store take-back of old equipment when consumers buy a similar item. You should accept goods within a reasonable period, for example within 28 days of the new item being purchased. You can dispose of the WEEE you collect via a producer compliance scheme, which must accept it free of charge. However, they may charge you a collection fee.

You should approach the compliance scheme that collects WEEE from your nearest local authority civic amenity site to arrange for the proper treatment and recycling of the WEEE you receive.

If you join the nationwide distributor take-back scheme you do not need to offer in-store take-back. Membership fees are used to provide funding for local authorities operating designated collection facilities for WEEE at civic amenity sites. Read about the distributor take-back scheme on the Valpak website.

If you choose not to offer in-store take-back and do not join the distributor take-back scheme, you must provide an alternative take-back service. The service must be free and easily accessible to your customers.

Whichever method you use you must store WEEE safely and securely to prevent pollution. You must also comply with the normal waste controls when transporting WEEE.

Offer a collection on delivery scheme

You may offer a 'collection on delivery' scheme as a service to your customers, for example collecting old bulky goods when delivering new replacement goods. You can charge household customers for collection, but this must only cover the cost of transport and handling, it must not include any treatment or reprocessing costs. You must still provide either in-store take-back, an alternative free service or join the take-back scheme.

Provide WEEE information to your customers

You must provide your household customers with written information on:

• environmental impacts of the substances in new EEE and WEEE
• reasons for separating WEEE from other waste
• the meaning of the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol
• how they can safely dispose of WEEE for proper treatment and recycling free of charge

You must also display information for customers on the benefits of take-back schemes. This could be posters, leaflets or on a website.

You must keep records of the information you provide, any household WEEE that has been collected and the information provided to customers for at least four years.

Comply with other requirements

New equipment must also comply with restrictions on the use of certain hazardous substances and may have to meet energy labelling or ecodesign requirements.

If you are affected by WEEE regulations, you may also have obligations under the Batteries Directive.

If your business uses electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) you should be aware of your responsibilities when you dispose of it.

The producer of the electrical equipment is usually responsible for the cost of treating and recycling non-household waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), but business users will sometimes have to pay.

You must comply with your duty of care. This includes storing waste equipment safely, using a registered waste carrier and keeping a waste transfer note when equipment leaves your site.

Equipment bought by your business

If your business bought EEE before 13 August 2005, the waste is known as 'historic WEEE'.

If you are replacing the equipment, the producer of the replacement equipment must take your unwanted item if you request it, even if they are not the original manufacturer.

If you're not replacing the equipment, you need to make sure the WEEE is disposed of in accordance with the duty of care and hazardous waste legislation.

If your business bought equipment after 13 August 2005, the waste is known as 'non-historic WEEE'. A bar underneath the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol indicates that the WEEE is non-historic. The EEE producer is responsible for financing the treatment, reprocessing and disposal of the equipment unless both parties agree to an alternative arrangement.

If you agree with a producer to make your own arrangements to deal with WEEE, you must make sure it is treated, recycled, recovered and disposed of correctly.

If your business rents or leases EEE the organisation that provides the equipment will normally be responsible for disposing of it.

When you buy new EEE you should keep the WEEE registration number of the equipment producer. Use this to contact the producer when you need to dispose of the products. The producer's compliance scheme is responsible for the WEEE. The original producer can give you information on the take-back system available to you.

Your EEE suppliers and retailers can dispose of business WEEE for you, but they may charge you for this service.

If the EEE producer refuses to take responsibility for your waste, contact the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).

Tips for buying new electrical equipment

Before your business buys any new equipment, ask the following questions:

• Do you really need to buy a new product?
• Could you repair your existing unit?
• Can your existing device be upgraded?
• Could you buy refurbished equipment from another business?

If your business must buy new equipment, look for a product that:

• has been designed for easy recycling
• uses resources efficiently, for example it has a low energy rating
• has a low impact on the environment, for example it is made from recycled materials

If you repair or refurbish waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) you may need a pollution prevention and control (PPC) permit, waste management licence or a registered waste exemption. You must have the relevant permit, licence or exemption before you carry out this activity.

Storing WEEE for reuse, treatment or recovery elsewhere

You can register an exemption from waste management licensing to collect and store up to 80 cubic metres of each of several types of WEEE for up to three months before it is taken for recovery somewhere else. If you are storing fluorescent tubes the limit is 50 cubic metres. You must:

• store it securely to avoid damage that may prevent its reuse or treatment
• use a storage site with an appropriate weatherproof covering and impermeable surfaces, with a bund where necessary to stop hazardous substances from escaping
• comply with the conditions of your exemption

You do not need to register an exemption for storing WEEE if you are:

• a retailer taking part in an in-store take-back scheme for household WEEE
• a business storing WEEE that you have produced

Crushing waste fluorescent tubes

If you crush fluorescent tubes before they are collected for recovery you may be able to register an exemption from waste management licensing if you:

• crush up to three tonnes of waste in 24 hours
• make sure the mercury concentration in emissions does not exceed 50 microgrammes per cubic metre
• store the waste glass and mercury in secure containers under weatherproof covering

You must register this waste exemption with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA). You will need to renew the exemption every 12 months.

Repairing and refurbishing WEEE

If your business repairs or refurbishes certain WEEE you may be able to register an exemption from waste management licensing.

You can register for an exemption if you:

• handle up to five tonnes of WEEE per day
• store up to 80 cubic metres of WEEE, and no waste is stored for longer than 12 months
• store dismantled parts carefully to prevent damage
• store the components safely under waterproof covering and on impermeable surfaces
• store hazardous waste in suitable containers

NIEA will need to inspect your business premises. They will charge you a fee to cover this cost.

You will need to renew your registration every year. The renewal fee is less than the registration fee.

If you want to treat five tonnes of WEEE or more per day you will need a PPC permit or a waste management licence.

If your business treats waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) you must meet all of the following requirements:

• have a waste management licence, a pollution prevention and control (PPC) permit or an exemption
• be an authorised treatment facility (ATF) or approved authorised treatment facility (AATF)
• treat WEEE according to the guidance on best available treatment, recovery and recycling techniques

Licences and exemptions

You can apply for an exemption from waste management licensing if you:

• repair or refurbish WEEE
• store WEEE while it is waiting to be treated or recovered elsewhere
• crush waste gas discharge lamps, for example fluorescent tubes

See repairing, refurbishing and storing WEEE.

If you cannot meet the conditions of an exemption you must have a waste management licence or a PPC permit.

Authorised treatment facilities

WEEE ATFs are licensed to treat WEEE, but they cannot issue evidence notes. Evidence notes can only be issued by an AATF on their behalf.

If you want to issue evidence of receipt of WEEE to a producer compliance scheme you must apply to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and be granted approval to become an AATF.

If you are an AATF you must provide quarterly reports to the NIEA showing the amount of WEEE you have:

• received for treatment
• sent to a different facility for treatment - including details of the ATF or AATF it was sent to
• issued evidence for reuse as a whole appliance
• delivered to an approved exporter for treatment and recovery or recycling outside the United Kingdom

You must comply with the conditions of your approval and make sure that WEEE materials are recovered or recycled to the appropriate targets for each category of WEEE.

You must also provide NIEA with a report from an independent auditor confirming that the evidence notes you issued match up with the amount of WEEE you received for each approval period.

Treatment, recovery and recycling techniques

If you treat WEEE you must use the best available treatment, recovery and recycling techniques (BATRRT). BATRRT guidance.

Recovery and recycling targets for WEEE

Recycling is reprocessing waste materials in a production process for reuse.

Recovery includes activities such as:

• incineration with energy recovery
• recovery of metal and metal components
• recovery of inorganic materials, for example glass and plastic

Collecting, sorting, treating and processing WEEE is not recycling. Evidence from AATFs covering these types of activities does not show that you have met the recovery and recycling requirements.

If you recover and recycle WEEE you must meet targets for the amount of WEEE you recover and recycle. You must include evidence of this in your reports to NIEA.

WEEE recovery and recycling targets

You should export waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) only if you are sure that it will be recovered or recycled safely in the receiving country. If you are unsure, ask the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) for advice.

If you want to issue evidence of the export of WEEE for reuse to a producer compliance scheme you must apply to NIEA to become an approved exporter.

If you are an approved exporter you can only issue evidence notes for exporting WEEE if it is to be reused as a whole appliance.

If you are an approved exporter you must submit quarterly returns to NIEA. These reports must include the amount of WEEE exported for recovery, recycling and reuse as whole appliances. You must also report the amount of non-obligated WEEE you export. This is WEEE that does not come from compliance schemes.

You must also provide NIEA with reports from an independent auditor confirming that the evidence notes you issued match up with the amount of WEEE you received and exported for each approval period.

If you want to export WEEE for reuse, treatment or reprocessing you must also ensure that you comply with legislation on the shipment of waste.

Producer compliance schemes (PCS) arrange for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) to be collected and treated, recycled or reused on behalf of their members. They buy evidence from approved authorised treatment facilities (AATFs) and approved exporters (AEs) to demonstrate that the WEEE has been treated, reused or recovered. If you want to operate a PCS you must:

• apply to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) for approval
• demonstrate that you can collect and arrange the treatment and recycling of the amount of your members' WEEE obligations for at least three years

You may also need to register as a waste carrier or broker to transport or trade waste.

Requirements when operating a PCS

If you operate a PCS you must give the NIEA:

• quarterly reports, including the amount of new electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market by your producers
• a declaration of compliance supported by evidence to show how you have paid for the treatment and recycling of your members' WEEE
• an operational plan by 31 July each year
• records of the amount in tonnes of household and non-household WEEE recovered, treated and recycled

You must also:

• register each of your producer members for each compliance period
• arrange for WEEE to be collected and transported to an authorised treatment facility (ATF), AATF or AE for treatment or recovery
• ensure AATFs or AEs are treating WEEE to the required standards and enough material and components are recycled or recovered
• obtain enough evidence to show you have met your members' obligations
• co-operate with other PCSs

PCS operational plans

The operational plan must include:

• evidence that you have the money and technical expertise to operate the scheme
• details of how you plan to treat, recover and recycle household and non-household WEEE
• the designated collection facilities, AATFs and AEs you intend to use
• an estimate of the amount of WEEE you will handle

There are different obligations for collecting household WEEE and non-household WEEE - contact NIEA for further information.

Some waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is classified as hazardous waste. This includes WEEE that contains hazardous components or substances such as:

• polychlorinated biphenyls - for example in capacitors
• ozone-depleting substances - for example in fridges and freezers
• asbestos
• fluorescent tubes
• nickel cadmium batteries
• cathode ray tubes - for example in some televisions and older computer monitors

You must store waste safely and securely to prevent pollution. You must keep different types of hazardous waste separate, and hazardous waste and non-hazardous waste separate.

If you are responsible for disposing of WEEE and it contains hazardous substances you must make sure it is treated at an approved authorised treatment facility that is authorised to accept hazardous waste - find licensed waste sites in Northern Ireland.

See also dealing with hazardous waste.

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations affect almost all businesses. You need to make sure that you understand your obligations and what you must do to meet them.

You must comply with the WEEE Regulations if you:

• manufacture, import or rebrand electrical or electronic equipment (EEE)
• distribute or sell EEE
• generate any WEEE
• refurbish or repair WEEE
• treat, recycle or recover WEEE

Producing EEE

You are a producer if you:

• manufacture and sell EEE under your own brand
• resell EEE products produced by another supplier under your own brand (rebranding)
• import or export EEE into the United Kingdom or another European Union member state on a professional basis

The regulations apply to all producers regardless of their size.

Distributing EEE

You are a distributor if you sell EEE for use in households. This includes selling products via:

• retail outlets
• wholesale outlets
• mail order
• the internet
• TV shopping channels
• other distance-selling methods

Using EEE

If your business uses EEE you must deal with it correctly once you no longer need it.

Refurbishing WEEE

If your business repairs or refurbishes WEEE you may need a pollution prevention and control (PPC) permit, waste management licence or an exemption.

Treating and recycling WEEE

If your business treats, reprocesses, recovers or recycles WEEE you must have a PPC permit, waste management licence or an exemption.

Exporting WEEE

If you export WEEE for reuse, treatment or reprocessing you must comply with export controls.

Operating a producer compliance scheme (PCS)

PCS operators arrange for their members' WEEE to be collected and treated, recycled or reused. If you operate a PCS you must meet certain requirements.

The goods covered by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations fall into the following categories:

• large household appliances - for example fridges, radiators and air conditioning appliances
• small household appliances - for example sewing machines, toasters and clocks
• IT and telecommunications equipment - for example computers and their accessories, calculators and phones
• consumer equipment - for example TVs, radios and musical instruments
• lighting equipment - for example fluorescent lamps and non-household luminaires
• electrical and electronic tools - for example drills, welding equipment and lawnmowers
• toys, leisure and sports equipment - for example electric train sets, video games and slot machines
• medical devices - for example dialysis machines, ventilators and radiotherapy equipment
• monitoring and control instruments - for example smoke detectors, thermostats and other instruments used in industrial installations
• automatic dispensers - for example drinks, food and money dispensers
• display equipment
• cooling appliances containing refrigerants
• gas discharge lamps

WEEE includes equipment that has a wind-up or solar mechanism, or that runs on batteries. However, on their own, solar panels, solar panel systems and batteries are currently not covered by the WEEE Regulations.

To check if you have obligations under the Batteries Directive, see batteries responsibilities for business.

Equipment not covered by the WEEE Regulations

The regulations do not apply to:

• equipment where electricity is not the main power source through battery or mains supply - for example a gas cooker
• equipment where the electrical or electronic components are not needed to fulfil its main function - for example a musical birthday card
• equipment that is part of something that is not EEE - other waste regulations may apply to such equipment - for example the End-of-Life Vehicle Regulations cover the electrical components of vehicles
• equipment designed exclusively to protect the United Kingdom's national security and intended for specific military purposes
• filament light bulbs
• household light fittings of any kind
• large-scale, stationary industrial tools
• fixed installations
• high-voltage equipment that is designed for use with a voltage rating exceeding 1,000 volts AC or 1,500 volts DC
• implanted and infected medical equipment

The WEEE Regulations apply to finished products. Components, sub-assemblies, consumables and spares are usually exempt. However, accessories, such as headphones, computer keyboards, antennas and connecting cables, are classed as WEEE if they do not have a function by themselves and are only used with another product.

If you manufacture, rebrand or import electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), you are a producer of EEE and you must:

• join an approved producer compliance scheme
• pay for the collection, treatment, recovery and environmentally sound disposal of your market share of household waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)
• label all new electrical and electronic products with a crossed-out wheeled bin symbol and producer identification mark
• make available information to WEEE treatment and reprocessing facilities about new products put on the United Kingdom market to help with effective treatment, reuse and recycling
• give your producer registration number to distributors you supply equipment to
• keep records for at least four years, including the amounts of EEE placed on the UK market, and sales to end users in other European Union member states

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) regulates producers' obligations under the WEEE Regulations. It provides advice on how producers can meet legal requirements.

Join a producer compliance scheme

You must join an approved producer compliance scheme - there are around 40 to choose from. Alternatively, you could establish your own scheme for your business or for a group of businesses. All schemes must be approved by either the Environment Agency, NIEA or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

Design your products for recycling

You must make sure that your products comply with limits on the use of certain hazardous substances.

Your products may also have to meet energy labelling and ecodesign requirements.

You should design your products so that they can be easily repaired, recycled and dismantled. Improving the design, to make your products easier to recycle, can make it easier to meet your WEEE obligations, especially for non-household equipment.

If you are affected by WEEE regulations you may also have obligations under the Batteries Directive.

If you sell electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) to household users you must enable these customers to return waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) products on a like-for-like basis, when they purchase a new product. This is known as 'retailer take back'.

You must also provide customers with information on how they can return waste products, and keep records.

As a distributor you do not have to provide free take-back for customers who are businesses, but you may be asked to help business customers and suppliers to meet their obligations.

Provide a take-back system for household WEEE

You must provide a system that enables household customers to dispose of their WEEE free of charge. You can:

• offer in-store take back
• join the distributor take-back scheme
• provide an alternative free take-back service

You can offer free in-store take-back of old equipment when consumers buy a similar item. You should accept goods within a reasonable period, for example within 28 days of the new item being purchased. You can dispose of the WEEE you collect via a producer compliance scheme, which must accept it free of charge. However, they may charge you a collection fee.

You should approach the compliance scheme that collects WEEE from your nearest local authority civic amenity site to arrange for the proper treatment and recycling of the WEEE you receive.

If you join the nationwide distributor take-back scheme you do not need to offer in-store take-back. Membership fees are used to provide funding for local authorities operating designated collection facilities for WEEE at civic amenity sites. Read about the distributor take-back scheme on the Valpak website.

If you choose not to offer in-store take-back and do not join the distributor take-back scheme, you must provide an alternative take-back service. The service must be free and easily accessible to your customers.

Whichever method you use you must store WEEE safely and securely to prevent pollution. You must also comply with the normal waste controls when transporting WEEE.

Offer a collection on delivery scheme

You may offer a 'collection on delivery' scheme as a service to your customers, for example collecting old bulky goods when delivering new replacement goods. You can charge household customers for collection, but this must only cover the cost of transport and handling, it must not include any treatment or reprocessing costs. You must still provide either in-store take-back, an alternative free service or join the take-back scheme.

Provide WEEE information to your customers

You must provide your household customers with written information on:

• environmental impacts of the substances in new EEE and WEEE
• reasons for separating WEEE from other waste
• the meaning of the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol
• how they can safely dispose of WEEE for proper treatment and recycling free of charge

You must also display information for customers on the benefits of take-back schemes. This could be posters, leaflets or on a website.

You must keep records of the information you provide, any household WEEE that has been collected and the information provided to customers for at least four years.

Comply with other requirements

New equipment must also comply with restrictions on the use of certain hazardous substances and may have to meet energy labelling or ecodesign requirements.

If you are affected by WEEE regulations, you may also have obligations under the Batteries Directive.

If your business uses electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) you should be aware of your responsibilities when you dispose of it.

The producer of the electrical equipment is usually responsible for the cost of treating and recycling non-household waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), but business users will sometimes have to pay.

You must comply with your duty of care. This includes storing waste equipment safely, using a registered waste carrier and keeping a waste transfer note when equipment leaves your site.

Equipment bought by your business

If your business bought EEE before 13 August 2005, the waste is known as 'historic WEEE'.

If you are replacing the equipment, the producer of the replacement equipment must take your unwanted item if you request it, even if they are not the original manufacturer.

If you're not replacing the equipment, you need to make sure the WEEE is disposed of in accordance with the duty of care and hazardous waste legislation.

If your business bought equipment after 13 August 2005, the waste is known as 'non-historic WEEE'. A bar underneath the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol indicates that the WEEE is non-historic. The EEE producer is responsible for financing the treatment, reprocessing and disposal of the equipment unless both parties agree to an alternative arrangement.

If you agree with a producer to make your own arrangements to deal with WEEE, you must make sure it is treated, recycled, recovered and disposed of correctly.

If your business rents or leases EEE the organisation that provides the equipment will normally be responsible for disposing of it.

When you buy new EEE you should keep the WEEE registration number of the equipment producer. Use this to contact the producer when you need to dispose of the products. The producer's compliance scheme is responsible for the WEEE. The original producer can give you information on the take-back system available to you.

Your EEE suppliers and retailers can dispose of business WEEE for you, but they may charge you for this service.

If the EEE producer refuses to take responsibility for your waste, contact the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).

Tips for buying new electrical equipment

Before your business buys any new equipment, ask the following questions:

• Do you really need to buy a new product?
• Could you repair your existing unit?
• Can your existing device be upgraded?
• Could you buy refurbished equipment from another business?

If your business must buy new equipment, look for a product that:

• has been designed for easy recycling
• uses resources efficiently, for example it has a low energy rating
• has a low impact on the environment, for example it is made from recycled materials

If you repair or refurbish waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) you may need a pollution prevention and control (PPC) permit, waste management licence or a registered waste exemption. You must have the relevant permit, licence or exemption before you carry out this activity.

Storing WEEE for reuse, treatment or recovery elsewhere

You can register an exemption from waste management licensing to collect and store up to 80 cubic metres of each of several types of WEEE for up to three months before it is taken for recovery somewhere else. If you are storing fluorescent tubes the limit is 50 cubic metres. You must:

• store it securely to avoid damage that may prevent its reuse or treatment
• use a storage site with an appropriate weatherproof covering and impermeable surfaces, with a bund where necessary to stop hazardous substances from escaping
• comply with the conditions of your exemption

You do not need to register an exemption for storing WEEE if you are:

• a retailer taking part in an in-store take-back scheme for household WEEE
• a business storing WEEE that you have produced

Crushing waste fluorescent tubes

If you crush fluorescent tubes before they are collected for recovery you may be able to register an exemption from waste management licensing if you:

• crush up to three tonnes of waste in 24 hours
• make sure the mercury concentration in emissions does not exceed 50 microgrammes per cubic metre
• store the waste glass and mercury in secure containers under weatherproof covering

You must register this waste exemption with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA). You will need to renew the exemption every 12 months.

Repairing and refurbishing WEEE

If your business repairs or refurbishes certain WEEE you may be able to register an exemption from waste management licensing.

You can register for an exemption if you:

• handle up to five tonnes of WEEE per day
• store up to 80 cubic metres of WEEE, and no waste is stored for longer than 12 months
• store dismantled parts carefully to prevent damage
• store the components safely under waterproof covering and on impermeable surfaces
• store hazardous waste in suitable containers

NIEA will need to inspect your business premises. They will charge you a fee to cover this cost.

You will need to renew your registration every year. The renewal fee is less than the registration fee.

If you want to treat five tonnes of WEEE or more per day you will need a PPC permit or a waste management licence.

If your business treats waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) you must meet all of the following requirements:

• have a waste management licence, a pollution prevention and control (PPC) permit or an exemption
• be an authorised treatment facility (ATF) or approved authorised treatment facility (AATF)
• treat WEEE according to the guidance on best available treatment, recovery and recycling techniques

Licences and exemptions

You can apply for an exemption from waste management licensing if you:

• repair or refurbish WEEE
• store WEEE while it is waiting to be treated or recovered elsewhere
• crush waste gas discharge lamps, for example fluorescent tubes

See repairing, refurbishing and storing WEEE.

If you cannot meet the conditions of an exemption you must have a waste management licence or a PPC permit.

Authorised treatment facilities

WEEE ATFs are licensed to treat WEEE, but they cannot issue evidence notes. Evidence notes can only be issued by an AATF on their behalf.

If you want to issue evidence of receipt of WEEE to a producer compliance scheme you must apply to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and be granted approval to become an AATF.

If you are an AATF you must provide quarterly reports to the NIEA showing the amount of WEEE you have:

• received for treatment
• sent to a different facility for treatment - including details of the ATF or AATF it was sent to
• issued evidence for reuse as a whole appliance
• delivered to an approved exporter for treatment and recovery or recycling outside the United Kingdom

You must comply with the conditions of your approval and make sure that WEEE materials are recovered or recycled to the appropriate targets for each category of WEEE.

You must also provide NIEA with a report from an independent auditor confirming that the evidence notes you issued match up with the amount of WEEE you received for each approval period.

Treatment, recovery and recycling techniques

If you treat WEEE you must use the best available treatment, recovery and recycling techniques (BATRRT). BATRRT guidance.

Recovery and recycling targets for WEEE

Recycling is reprocessing waste materials in a production process for reuse.

Recovery includes activities such as:

• incineration with energy recovery
• recovery of metal and metal components
• recovery of inorganic materials, for example glass and plastic

Collecting, sorting, treating and processing WEEE is not recycling. Evidence from AATFs covering these types of activities does not show that you have met the recovery and recycling requirements.

If you recover and recycle WEEE you must meet targets for the amount of WEEE you recover and recycle. You must include evidence of this in your reports to NIEA.

WEEE recovery and recycling targets

You should export waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) only if you are sure that it will be recovered or recycled safely in the receiving country. If you are unsure, ask the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) for advice.

If you want to issue evidence of the export of WEEE for reuse to a producer compliance scheme you must apply to NIEA to become an approved exporter.

If you are an approved exporter you can only issue evidence notes for exporting WEEE if it is to be reused as a whole appliance.

If you are an approved exporter you must submit quarterly returns to NIEA. These reports must include the amount of WEEE exported for recovery, recycling and reuse as whole appliances. You must also report the amount of non-obligated WEEE you export. This is WEEE that does not come from compliance schemes.

You must also provide NIEA with reports from an independent auditor confirming that the evidence notes you issued match up with the amount of WEEE you received and exported for each approval period.

If you want to export WEEE for reuse, treatment or reprocessing you must also ensure that you comply with legislation on the shipment of waste.

Producer compliance schemes (PCS) arrange for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) to be collected and treated, recycled or reused on behalf of their members. They buy evidence from approved authorised treatment facilities (AATFs) and approved exporters (AEs) to demonstrate that the WEEE has been treated, reused or recovered. If you want to operate a PCS you must:

• apply to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) for approval
• demonstrate that you can collect and arrange the treatment and recycling of the amount of your members' WEEE obligations for at least three years

You may also need to register as a waste carrier or broker to transport or trade waste.

Requirements when operating a PCS

If you operate a PCS you must give the NIEA:

• quarterly reports, including the amount of new electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market by your producers
• a declaration of compliance supported by evidence to show how you have paid for the treatment and recycling of your members' WEEE
• an operational plan by 31 July each year
• records of the amount in tonnes of household and non-household WEEE recovered, treated and recycled

You must also:

• register each of your producer members for each compliance period
• arrange for WEEE to be collected and transported to an authorised treatment facility (ATF), AATF or AE for treatment or recovery
• ensure AATFs or AEs are treating WEEE to the required standards and enough material and components are recycled or recovered
• obtain enough evidence to show you have met your members' obligations
• co-operate with other PCSs

PCS operational plans

The operational plan must include:

• evidence that you have the money and technical expertise to operate the scheme
• details of how you plan to treat, recover and recycle household and non-household WEEE
• the designated collection facilities, AATFs and AEs you intend to use
• an estimate of the amount of WEEE you will handle

There are different obligations for collecting household WEEE and non-household WEEE - contact NIEA for further information.

Some waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is classified as hazardous waste. This includes WEEE that contains hazardous components or substances such as:

• polychlorinated biphenyls - for example in capacitors
• ozone-depleting substances - for example in fridges and freezers
• asbestos
• fluorescent tubes
• nickel cadmium batteries
• cathode ray tubes - for example in some televisions and older computer monitors

You must store waste safely and securely to prevent pollution. You must keep different types of hazardous waste separate, and hazardous waste and non-hazardous waste separate.

If you are responsible for disposing of WEEE and it contains hazardous substances you must make sure it is treated at an approved authorised treatment facility that is authorised to accept hazardous waste - find licensed waste sites in Northern Ireland.

See also dealing with hazardous waste.

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations affect almost all businesses. You need to make sure that you understand your obligations and what you must do to meet them.

You must comply with the WEEE Regulations if you:

• manufacture, import or rebrand electrical or electronic equipment (EEE)
• distribute or sell EEE
• generate any WEEE
• refurbish or repair WEEE
• treat, recycle or recover WEEE

Producing EEE

You are a producer if you:

• manufacture and sell EEE under your own brand
• resell EEE products produced by another supplier under your own brand (rebranding)
• import or export EEE into the United Kingdom or another European Union member state on a professional basis

The regulations apply to all producers regardless of their size.

Distributing EEE

You are a distributor if you sell EEE for use in households. This includes selling products via:

• retail outlets
• wholesale outlets
• mail order
• the internet
• TV shopping channels
• other distance-selling methods

Using EEE

If your business uses EEE you must deal with it correctly once you no longer need it.

Refurbishing WEEE

If your business repairs or refurbishes WEEE you may need a pollution prevention and control (PPC) permit, waste management licence or an exemption.

Treating and recycling WEEE

If your business treats, reprocesses, recovers or recycles WEEE you must have a PPC permit, waste management licence or an exemption.

Exporting WEEE

If you export WEEE for reuse, treatment or reprocessing you must comply with export controls.

Operating a producer compliance scheme (PCS)

PCS operators arrange for their members' WEEE to be collected and treated, recycled or reused. If you operate a PCS you must meet certain requirements.

The goods covered by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations fall into the following categories:

• large household appliances - for example fridges, radiators and air conditioning appliances
• small household appliances - for example sewing machines, toasters and clocks
• IT and telecommunications equipment - for example computers and their accessories, calculators and phones
• consumer equipment - for example TVs, radios and musical instruments
• lighting equipment - for example fluorescent lamps and non-household luminaires
• electrical and electronic tools - for example drills, welding equipment and lawnmowers
• toys, leisure and sports equipment - for example electric train sets, video games and slot machines
• medical devices - for example dialysis machines, ventilators and radiotherapy equipment
• monitoring and control instruments - for example smoke detectors, thermostats and other instruments used in industrial installations
• automatic dispensers - for example drinks, food and money dispensers
• display equipment
• cooling appliances containing refrigerants
• gas discharge lamps

WEEE includes equipment that has a wind-up or solar mechanism, or that runs on batteries. However, on their own, solar panels, solar panel systems and batteries are currently not covered by the WEEE Regulations.

To check if you have obligations under the Batteries Directive, see batteries responsibilities for business.

Equipment not covered by the WEEE Regulations

The regulations do not apply to:

• equipment where electricity is not the main power source through battery or mains supply - for example a gas cooker
• equipment where the electrical or electronic components are not needed to fulfil its main function - for example a musical birthday card
• equipment that is part of something that is not EEE - other waste regulations may apply to such equipment - for example the End-of-Life Vehicle Regulations cover the electrical components of vehicles
• equipment designed exclusively to protect the United Kingdom's national security and intended for specific military purposes
• filament light bulbs
• household light fittings of any kind
• large-scale, stationary industrial tools
• fixed installations
• high-voltage equipment that is designed for use with a voltage rating exceeding 1,000 volts AC or 1,500 volts DC
• implanted and infected medical equipment

The WEEE Regulations apply to finished products. Components, sub-assemblies, consumables and spares are usually exempt. However, accessories, such as headphones, computer keyboards, antennas and connecting cables, are classed as WEEE if they do not have a function by themselves and are only used with another product.

If you manufacture, rebrand or import electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), you are a producer of EEE and you must:

• join an approved producer compliance scheme
• pay for the collection, treatment, recovery and environmentally sound disposal of your market share of household waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)
• label all new electrical and electronic products with a crossed-out wheeled bin symbol and producer identification mark
• make available information to WEEE treatment and reprocessing facilities about new products put on the United Kingdom market to help with effective treatment, reuse and recycling
• give your producer registration number to distributors you supply equipment to
• keep records for at least four years, including the amounts of EEE placed on the UK market, and sales to end users in other European Union member states

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) regulates producers' obligations under the WEEE Regulations. It provides advice on how producers can meet legal requirements.

Join a producer compliance scheme

You must join an approved producer compliance scheme - there are around 40 to choose from. Alternatively, you could establish your own scheme for your business or for a group of businesses. All schemes must be approved by either the Environment Agency, NIEA or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

Design your products for recycling

You must make sure that your products comply with limits on the use of certain hazardous substances.

Your products may also have to meet energy labelling and ecodesign requirements.

You should design your products so that they can be easily repaired, recycled and dismantled. Improving the design, to make your products easier to recycle, can make it easier to meet your WEEE obligations, especially for non-household equipment.

If you are affected by WEEE regulations you may also have obligations under the Batteries Directive.

If you sell electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) to household users you must enable these customers to return waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) products on a like-for-like basis, when they purchase a new product. This is known as 'retailer take back'.

You must also provide customers with information on how they can return waste products, and keep records.

As a distributor you do not have to provide free take-back for customers who are businesses, but you may be asked to help business customers and suppliers to meet their obligations.

Provide a take-back system for household WEEE

You must provide a system that enables household customers to dispose of their WEEE free of charge. You can:

• offer in-store take back
• join the distributor take-back scheme
• provide an alternative free take-back service

You can offer free in-store take-back of old equipment when consumers buy a similar item. You should accept goods within a reasonable period, for example within 28 days of the new item being purchased. You can dispose of the WEEE you collect via a producer compliance scheme, which must accept it free of charge. However, they may charge you a collection fee.

You should approach the compliance scheme that collects WEEE from your nearest local authority civic amenity site to arrange for the proper treatment and recycling of the WEEE you receive.

If you join the nationwide distributor take-back scheme you do not need to offer in-store take-back. Membership fees are used to provide funding for local authorities operating designated collection facilities for WEEE at civic amenity sites. Read about the distributor take-back scheme on the Valpak website.

If you choose not to offer in-store take-back and do not join the distributor take-back scheme, you must provide an alternative take-back service. The service must be free and easily accessible to your customers.

Whichever method you use you must store WEEE safely and securely to prevent pollution. You must also comply with the normal waste controls when transporting WEEE.

Offer a collection on delivery scheme

You may offer a 'collection on delivery' scheme as a service to your customers, for example collecting old bulky goods when delivering new replacement goods. You can charge household customers for collection, but this must only cover the cost of transport and handling, it must not include any treatment or reprocessing costs. You must still provide either in-store take-back, an alternative free service or join the take-back scheme.

Provide WEEE information to your customers

You must provide your household customers with written information on:

• environmental impacts of the substances in new EEE and WEEE
• reasons for separating WEEE from other waste
• the meaning of the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol
• how they can safely dispose of WEEE for proper treatment and recycling free of charge

You must also display information for customers on the benefits of take-back schemes. This could be posters, leaflets or on a website.

You must keep records of the information you provide, any household WEEE that has been collected and the information provided to customers for at least four years.

Comply with other requirements

New equipment must also comply with restrictions on the use of certain hazardous substances and may have to meet energy labelling or ecodesign requirements.

If you are affected by WEEE regulations, you may also have obligations under the Batteries Directive.

If your business uses electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) you should be aware of your responsibilities when you dispose of it.

The producer of the electrical equipment is usually responsible for the cost of treating and recycling non-household waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), but business users will sometimes have to pay.

You must comply with your duty of care. This includes storing waste equipment safely, using a registered waste carrier and keeping a waste transfer note when equipment leaves your site.

Equipment bought by your business

If your business bought EEE before 13 August 2005, the waste is known as 'historic WEEE'.

If you are replacing the equipment, the producer of the replacement equipment must take your unwanted item if you request it, even if they are not the original manufacturer.

If you're not replacing the equipment, you need to make sure the WEEE is disposed of in accordance with the duty of care and hazardous waste legislation.

If your business bought equipment after 13 August 2005, the waste is known as 'non-historic WEEE'. A bar underneath the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol indicates that the WEEE is non-historic. The EEE producer is responsible for financing the treatment, reprocessing and disposal of the equipment unless both parties agree to an alternative arrangement.

If you agree with a producer to make your own arrangements to deal with WEEE, you must make sure it is treated, recycled, recovered and disposed of correctly.

If your business rents or leases EEE the organisation that provides the equipment will normally be responsible for disposing of it.

When you buy new EEE you should keep the WEEE registration number of the equipment producer. Use this to contact the producer when you need to dispose of the products. The producer's compliance scheme is responsible for the WEEE. The original producer can give you information on the take-back system available to you.

Your EEE suppliers and retailers can dispose of business WEEE for you, but they may charge you for this service.

If the EEE producer refuses to take responsibility for your waste, contact the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).

Tips for buying new electrical equipment

Before your business buys any new equipment, ask the following questions:

• Do you really need to buy a new product?
• Could you repair your existing unit?
• Can your existing device be upgraded?
• Could you buy refurbished equipment from another business?

If your business must buy new equipment, look for a product that:

• has been designed for easy recycling
• uses resources efficiently, for example it has a low energy rating
• has a low impact on the environment, for example it is made from recycled materials

If you repair or refurbish waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) you may need a pollution prevention and control (PPC) permit, waste management licence or a registered waste exemption. You must have the relevant permit, licence or exemption before you carry out this activity.

Storing WEEE for reuse, treatment or recovery elsewhere

You can register an exemption from waste management licensing to collect and store up to 80 cubic metres of each of several types of WEEE for up to three months before it is taken for recovery somewhere else. If you are storing fluorescent tubes the limit is 50 cubic metres. You must:

• store it securely to avoid damage that may prevent its reuse or treatment
• use a storage site with an appropriate weatherproof covering and impermeable surfaces, with a bund where necessary to stop hazardous substances from escaping
• comply with the conditions of your exemption

You do not need to register an exemption for storing WEEE if you are:

• a retailer taking part in an in-store take-back scheme for household WEEE
• a business storing WEEE that you have produced

Crushing waste fluorescent tubes

If you crush fluorescent tubes before they are collected for recovery you may be able to register an exemption from waste management licensing if you:

• crush up to three tonnes of waste in 24 hours
• make sure the mercury concentration in emissions does not exceed 50 microgrammes per cubic metre
• store the waste glass and mercury in secure containers under weatherproof covering

You must register this waste exemption with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA). You will need to renew the exemption every 12 months.

Repairing and refurbishing WEEE

If your business repairs or refurbishes certain WEEE you may be able to register an exemption from waste management licensing.

You can register for an exemption if you:

• handle up to five tonnes of WEEE per day
• store up to 80 cubic metres of WEEE, and no waste is stored for longer than 12 months
• store dismantled parts carefully to prevent damage
• store the components safely under waterproof covering and on impermeable surfaces
• store hazardous waste in suitable containers

NIEA will need to inspect your business premises. They will charge you a fee to cover this cost.

You will need to renew your registration every year. The renewal fee is less than the registration fee.

If you want to treat five tonnes of WEEE or more per day you will need a PPC permit or a waste management licence.

If your business treats waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) you must meet all of the following requirements:

• have a waste management licence, a pollution prevention and control (PPC) permit or an exemption
• be an authorised treatment facility (ATF) or approved authorised treatment facility (AATF)
• treat WEEE according to the guidance on best available treatment, recovery and recycling techniques

Licences and exemptions

You can apply for an exemption from waste management licensing if you:

• repair or refurbish WEEE
• store WEEE while it is waiting to be treated or recovered elsewhere
• crush waste gas discharge lamps, for example fluorescent tubes

See repairing, refurbishing and storing WEEE.

If you cannot meet the conditions of an exemption you must have a waste management licence or a PPC permit.

Authorised treatment facilities

WEEE ATFs are licensed to treat WEEE, but they cannot issue evidence notes. Evidence notes can only be issued by an AATF on their behalf.

If you want to issue evidence of receipt of WEEE to a producer compliance scheme you must apply to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and be granted approval to become an AATF.

If you are an AATF you must provide quarterly reports to the NIEA showing the amount of WEEE you have:

• received for treatment
• sent to a different facility for treatment - including details of the ATF or AATF it was sent to
• issued evidence for reuse as a whole appliance
• delivered to an approved exporter for treatment and recovery or recycling outside the United Kingdom

You must comply with the conditions of your approval and make sure that WEEE materials are recovered or recycled to the appropriate targets for each category of WEEE.

You must also provide NIEA with a report from an independent auditor confirming that the evidence notes you issued match up with the amount of WEEE you received for each approval period.

Treatment, recovery and recycling techniques

If you treat WEEE you must use the best available treatment, recovery and recycling techniques (BATRRT). BATRRT guidance.

Recovery and recycling targets for WEEE

Recycling is reprocessing waste materials in a production process for reuse.

Recovery includes activities such as:

• incineration with energy recovery
• recovery of metal and metal components
• recovery of inorganic materials, for example glass and plastic

Collecting, sorting, treating and processing WEEE is not recycling. Evidence from AATFs covering these types of activities does not show that you have met the recovery and recycling requirements.

If you recover and recycle WEEE you must meet targets for the amount of WEEE you recover and recycle. You must include evidence of this in your reports to NIEA.

WEEE recovery and recycling targets

You should export waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) only if you are sure that it will be recovered or recycled safely in the receiving country. If you are unsure, ask the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) for advice.

If you want to issue evidence of the export of WEEE for reuse to a producer compliance scheme you must apply to NIEA to become an approved exporter.

If you are an approved exporter you can only issue evidence notes for exporting WEEE if it is to be reused as a whole appliance.

If you are an approved exporter you must submit quarterly returns to NIEA. These reports must include the amount of WEEE exported for recovery, recycling and reuse as whole appliances. You must also report the amount of non-obligated WEEE you export. This is WEEE that does not come from compliance schemes.

You must also provide NIEA with reports from an independent auditor confirming that the evidence notes you issued match up with the amount of WEEE you received and exported for each approval period.

If you want to export WEEE for reuse, treatment or reprocessing you must also ensure that you comply with legislation on the shipment of waste.

Producer compliance schemes (PCS) arrange for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) to be collected and treated, recycled or reused on behalf of their members. They buy evidence from approved authorised treatment facilities (AATFs) and approved exporters (AEs) to demonstrate that the WEEE has been treated, reused or recovered. If you want to operate a PCS you must:

• apply to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) for approval
• demonstrate that you can collect and arrange the treatment and recycling of the amount of your members' WEEE obligations for at least three years

You may also need to register as a waste carrier or broker to transport or trade waste.

Requirements when operating a PCS

If you operate a PCS you must give the NIEA:

• quarterly reports, including the amount of new electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market by your producers
• a declaration of compliance supported by evidence to show how you have paid for the treatment and recycling of your members' WEEE
• an operational plan by 31 July each year
• records of the amount in tonnes of household and non-household WEEE recovered, treated and recycled

You must also:

• register each of your producer members for each compliance period
• arrange for WEEE to be collected and transported to an authorised treatment facility (ATF), AATF or AE for treatment or recovery
• ensure AATFs or AEs are treating WEEE to the required standards and enough material and components are recycled or recovered
• obtain enough evidence to show you have met your members' obligations
• co-operate with other PCSs

PCS operational plans

The operational plan must include:

• evidence that you have the money and technical expertise to operate the scheme
• details of how you plan to treat, recover and recycle household and non-household WEEE
• the designated collection facilities, AATFs and AEs you intend to use
• an estimate of the amount of WEEE you will handle

There are different obligations for collecting household WEEE and non-household WEEE - contact NIEA for further information.

Some waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is classified as hazardous waste. This includes WEEE that contains hazardous components or substances such as:

• polychlorinated biphenyls - for example in capacitors
• ozone-depleting substances - for example in fridges and freezers
• asbestos
• fluorescent tubes
• nickel cadmium batteries
• cathode ray tubes - for example in some televisions and older computer monitors

You must store waste safely and securely to prevent pollution. You must keep different types of hazardous waste separate, and hazardous waste and non-hazardous waste separate.

If you are responsible for disposing of WEEE and it contains hazardous substances you must make sure it is treated at an approved authorised treatment facility that is authorised to accept hazardous waste - find licensed waste sites in Northern Ireland.

See also dealing with hazardous waste.