UK retailer busted for WEEE violations

Irish retailer, Boots Retail has become the first company in the European Union to be prosecuted for violating the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulation. The retailer pleaded guilty to charges brought against the company by the UK Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The case was argued in Wexford District Court in Ireland.

The court imposed a fine of 1,200 pounds on Boots, while also awarding 6,865 to the EPA to cover the agency’s prosecution.

Boots officials admitted the company failed to post a notice in their shops alerting customers that the prices of electronic products include a contribution to a producer recycling fund that ensures old electrical and electronic products are collected and recycled appropriately. Boots also failed to include a notice in a newspaper ad that a contribution is made to the fund from add-on’s to the retail price. Notices in shops and in advertising is required by WEEE.

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