Second time slip for EU directive pushes back introduction until June 2006
DELAYS in drawing up the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) legislation have resulted in the UK government postponing its introduction until June 2006.
The country's Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) cited “continuing concerns expressed by the business community and other stakeholders”.
“This directive is about dealing effectively with electrical waste which can be damaging to the environment. It is challenging and has required a lot of planning and preparation but our priority is to get this right,” says DTI Minister Malcolm Wicks.
This is not the first time the UK government has had to postpone implementation of the EU's WEEE directive into UK law. Earlier this year it announced a slip from August 2005 to January 2006.
Methods for collecting and disposing of waste equipment will be unveiled in the autumn, said Jeff Cooper, the Environment Agency's manager for waste producer responsibility.
“The Environment Agency will work closely with government departments and the devolved administrations to implement the forthcoming WEEE Regulations,” he says.
“We expect to be able to announce arrangements for the registration of producers in the early autumn with registration starting in January 2006.”