Press Release

E-waste Directive second reading report stands firm on need for resource-efficient Europe

PRESS RELEASE

 
[Brussels, 26 August 2011] – The EEB welcomes the draft recommendations for the second reading of the recast of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) prepared by Karl-Heinz Florenz, the European Parliament Rapporteur responsible. Originally released on 2 August 2011, the report has just been made available in English.
 
While having some reservations about the report, the EEB welcomes the fact that it re-establishes numerous essential proposals that had not been properly reflected by the Council political agreement last March.
 
“Mr. Florenz clearly shows here his bold tenacity towards an ambitious WEEE recast and we call on the Parliament to strongly support his recommendations”, says Stephane Arditi from EEB.
 
The EEB particularly supports the aspiration towards high collection rates based on WEEE generated, the extension of the scope, the ecodesign provisions and the future possibility of financial incentives towards improved design of appliances.
 
“WEEE is a test case for a resource-efficient Europe and the proposals in this report could create a useful precedent for the future of EU waste and resources policy”, adds Arditi.
 
The report’s recommendations include requirements for the use of best available technologies and a definition of treatment and recycling standards, together with an 85% collection rate of WEEE generated by 2016. Such proposals may benefit the European industry as well as minimizing the overall environmental impacts of the growing WEEE waste stream.
 
Furthermore, specific preparation for reuse objectives would hopefully generate local jobs and pave the way for longer and more sustainable use of appliances.
 
However, the EEB has concerns regarding some aspects of the report. There is a persisting lack of consistency when claiming that all actors should be contributing to the WEEE goals, while legal obligations apply exclusively to producers.
 
EEB also regrets that the proposal to start monitoring nanomaterials has been dismissed, despite evidence they may impact environment and human health in the future.
 
Finally, some stringent conditions to allow export of WEEE and used EEE have been weakened in comparison with the first reading, even though the report’s proposals show efforts to minimise loopholes in illegal exportations stronger than the Council’s.
 
 
Contact:
Stephane Arditi, EEB Products Policy Officer, 

+32 (0) 2289 10 97, stephane.arditi@eeb.org