Government Response to the Consultation on Reforming Producer Responsibility for Waste Electricals
This consultation, conducted by the UK Government, Scottish Government, Welsh Government, and DAERA (Northern Ireland), ran from 28 December 2023 to 7 March 2024. It sought feedback on proposed reforms to the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) system, including:
Producer-financed household collection system for WEEE.
Enhanced retailer obligations for takeback services and customer communication.
Obligations for online marketplaces akin to traditional producers.
Creation of a new category for vapes with specific costs borne by producers.
Establishing a WEEE scheme administrator for system oversight.
Immediate Actions
The governments announced two priority measures to address inequities in the current WEEE regulations:
1. New Category for Vapes
A separate category for vapes and related products will be introduced in 2025.
Producers must report product weights for this category, enabling collection targets from 2026.
Reporting obligations will align with WEEE requirements.
2. Obligations for Online Marketplaces
From 2025, online marketplaces will face similar responsibilities to existing producers for equipment sold by overseas sellers.
Requirements include joining WEEE compliance schemes, paying fees, and reporting weights in all WEEE categories, including the new vape category.
Transitional reporting obligations in 2025 will ensure marketplaces are financially accountable from 2026.
New charges will fund compliance monitoring by environmental regulators.
Broader Commitments
The governments reaffirmed their shared goal of advancing a circular economy, highlighting its potential for economic, environmental, and social benefits.
Strategic Circular Economy Plans:
Scotland: Circular Economy Route Map to 2030.
Wales: Beyond Recycling strategy.
Northern Ireland: Draft Circular Economy Strategy.
England: Circular Economy Strategy to be published in 2025, supported by a Circular Economy Taskforce.
Discussions will continue between the four nations, informed by consultation responses, to align policy development and drive reforms supporting the circular economy by 2025.