Blog 5 min read

Iceland Adapts to EU WEEE Recast Directive

Dec 05, 2018 Iceland Adapts to EU WEEE Recast Directive

IcelandThis regulation, issued by the Icelandic Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources repeals the existing WEEE regulation and adapts to Directive 2012/19/EU on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).  

Its purpose is to promote the prevention of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and to promote the reuse, recycling or other forms of recovery of waste.

Article 3 provides definitions of some key terms and all parties involved in the production, sale and use of electrical and electronic equipment and of those who manage WEEE.

Article 4 states that electrical and electronic equipment waste shall be returned to collection centers or reception centers which are licensed to handle such waste. It further provides that manufacturers and importers shall, in the information intended for distribution to the buyer, provide information about the location of electrical and electronic equipment waste centers, for the return, without payment, of electronic and electronic waste and guarantee that such waste is handled in accordance with applicable rules. Additionally, the consumer should be informed of the potential effects of hazardous substances from electrical and electronic equipment waste on the environment and human and animal health. The Article also states that a label should be attached to the product which clearly states that electrical equipment should be collected separately and apart from other waste.
 
Article 6 outlines EEE manufacturer and importer obligations. It indicates that they must finance and ensure the treatment of electrical and electronic waste, excluding the cost of collection by municipal agencies. This provision further indicates that manufacturers and importers shall pay the appropriate recycling fee prior to the placing on the Icelandic market for commercial use of any EEE.

Article 7 requires manufacturers and importers of electrical and electronic equipment to 

  1. cover the cost of storage of WEEE at municipal collection sites,
  2. ensure the collection and receipt of electrical and electronic waste from all parts of the country, such as municipal collection centers,
  3. ensure that WEEE across the country is handled by a business operator with a valid operating license and
  4. inform the Environment Agency before April 1 each year of the total amount of electrical and electronic equipment in kilograms they have placed on the market or taken for personal use for the previous year upon the Agency request.

In Article 11, the regulation incorporates the revised collection targets set out in Article 7 of the Directive, establishing a minimum collection rate of 45% of average weight of historical EEE placed on the national market in between January 2014 and 31 December 2016. From 01 January 2019, the minimum collection rate of EEE placed on the national market in the previous 3 years starting on January 2016 shall be 65% or 85%.

Article 14 states that the manufacturer and importer of electrical and electronic equipment must register with the Environment Agency at least 15 days before a product subject to a processing fee is placed on the market, sold or taken for own use in Iceland.

Under article 15, manufacturer with no physical presence in Iceland, must appoint an authorized representative that will ensure that it meets its legal obligations (registration, data reporting; waste takeback and financial guarantee, etc.).