There are several regulatory texts on EEE. These texts come from the European law. Among these, some relate specifically to WEEE and waste management (collection targets, recycling). Others don’t affect only EEE or WEEE but control the use of certain substances or even set up eco-design rules for EEE. All these texts are aimed at preventing and reducing risks to human health and environment.

Main regulations

European regulation REACH (Registration, evaluation and authorization of chemicals)

The REACH Regulation sets up a single integrated system for Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals and Restriction of Chemicals in the European Union. Its objective is to improve protection of human health and environment while maintaining competitiveness and strengthening innovative spirit of the European chemical industry.

RoHS directive:
RoHS stands for “Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment”. This Directive aims to limit the use of six hazardous substances (lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers) and applies to all new products put on European market, whether imported or manufactured in the EU.

ErP directive:
ErP Directive is European legislation which, as part of CE marking applies to energy-related products throughout their life cycle to improve energy efficiency and environmental protection. This Directive applies also to EEE, by setting up for example maximum electricity consumption to some EEE.

WEEE directive:
Before the entry into force of the WEEE Directive, the management of a product end of life was the responsibility of the holder. The treatment costs of these (household) wastes were funded by local and national taxes.

The WEEE directive transfer this responsibility to manufacturers for all household EEE waste and for professional WEEE put on the market after 13 August 2005.

References

Instruments act on EUR-LEX:

Regulation n°1097-2006 – REACH:
– http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:32006R1907:EN:NOT

Directive 2011/65/EU – RoHS:
– http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:32011L0065:EN:NOT

Directive 2009/125/EC – ErP:
– http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:32009L0125:EN:NOT

Directive 2012/19/EU – WEEE:
– http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2012:197:0038:0071:en:PDF