New compliance scheme to focus on business WEEE

US-owned consultancy Environ is preparing to launch a business-to-business WEEE compliance scheme to help electronics producers based in the UK deal with new producer responsibility requirements.

The company's B2BWEEE-Scheme is to provide compliance services for companies obligated under Europe's Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive.

An offshoot of its B2BWEEE organisation, which already assists electronics businesses in France and Germany, Environ is aiming to run its producer compliance scheme as a pan-European organisation.

The firm is aiming for a January launch for its compliance scheme in the UK, although companies are being invited to register prospective interest in membership now. The scheme will then be registered as a full compliance scheme in March 2007, in the run up to WEEE producer responsibility starting in July.

The scheme is being led by Dr Aidan Turnball, Environ's head of WEEE, RoHS and Eco-design, who is based at the company's Bath office.

Value
Dr Turnball explained that Environ had chosen to focus on the business-to-business electronics sector, rather than dealing with household electrical appliances, because of the value of the waste stream.

Dr Turnbull told letsrecycle.com: "When electronic equipment gets to a CA site is essentially scrap. With business-to-business waste there is a residual value there, if you have recycling systems up and running properly you can make money. There are more opportunities in the business sector."

Rules for business electronic waste, set to come into UK law by the end of this year, are currently being finalised by the Department of Trade and Industry (see letsrecycle.com story). Manufacturers and importers of electronics destined for the business sector will be expected to collect waste equipment if replaced on a like-for-like basis.

Dr Turnball said the B2BWEEE service would offer a flexible scheme, allowing clients to maintain existing relationships they might have regarding waste electronics.

Mt Turnbull explained: "Some companies may have a particular reprocessor or carrier they wish to use and our scheme will allow for that. All we need to do is audit those companies to ensure they meet with the legislation.

"We do offer full compliance coverage if need be, but we are not forcing our approach on clients. As we are a consulting firm we do not make our money from the recycling or carrying of waste," he added.

Original text is here