Consumers Rights & Obligations
WEEE REGULATIONS OVERVIEW FOR CONSUMERS
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2006 (SI3259) (the WEEE Regulations) are UK wide regulations that transpose the requirements of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive adopted by the EC in 2003 (2002/96/EC and 2003/108/EC).......... (Link to WEEE Regs)
In June 2007 the UK Government introduced new laws on producers of electrical and electronic equipment to take full responsibility for the products they have placed and continue to place on the market.
The objectives are to ensure producers accept responsibility for the cost associated in dealing with electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) at end of life and to encourage them to design more eco friendly and sustainable products and in doing so reduce land fill.
CONSUMER RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS
First of all if you are buying new EEE and it does not have the WEEE logo on either it or its packaging you are advised "not to buy"
When buying replacement same as or like for like equipment IE: DVD for DVD or DVD for VCR you should ask what arrangements the retailer has for dealing with WEEE...... The answer will ether be:
- They have an in store take back program and you as a consumer can return your old product to the shop free of charge
- They have joined the Distribution Take-Back Scheme and should direct you to the nearest local council collection site who should have clearly market areas where you can dispose of your EEE.........Note: If they are not displaying or cannot show you a certificate confirming they have joined the DTS program you can take your old items back to the store.
- For large domestic items IE: Fridges, washing machine etc. The legislation require the retailer to remove the old items when delivering the new. There is nothing in the legislation that requires a charge for removal and the retailer may y may not apply a charge.
- If you are disposing of computer equipment it is your responsibility to ensure your personal data has been removed. The best way to do this is to remove the Hard Drive and physically destroy it.
