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Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)

Find out more about your WEEE responsibilities

What is it?

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE Directive) was introduced into UK law in January 2007 by the Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment Regulations 2006.

The WEEE Directive aims to reduce the amount of electrical and electronic equipment being produced and to encourage everyone to reuse, recycle and recover it.

The WEEE Directive also aims to improve the environmental performance of businesses that manufacture, supply, use, recycle and recover electrical and electronic equipment.

If you are an importer, rebrander or manufacturer of new electrical or electronic equipment, then it's likely that you'll need to comply with the UK's WEEE Regulations, which in part implement the WEEE Directive. If you do need to comply, then you must register on a producer compliance scheme.

You may also have obligations under the WEEE Regulations if you are a business with electrical or electronic equipment to dispose of, or if you sell electrical or electronic equipment.

Our role is to provide information and advice on complying with the WEEE Regulations to producers of Electrical or Electronic Equipment (EEE) and the waste management industry:

How do the regulations affect me?

More information

If you import or export waste you need to be aware that shipments of waste are subject to a range of regulatory controls. You can read more about the rules you must comply with on these pages:

You will find information about how we are working to prevent the illegal export of electronic waste (e-waste) to developing countries on these pages:

Applications for approval as an approved authorised treatment facility (AATF) or approved exporter (AE)

Application forms and guidance can be found on this page:

How to report a business which is not complying

Call 0800 023 2090 if you know of a person who is not complying with their obligations under the producer responsibility regulations for packaging, WEEE or batteries.