EN COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES Brussels, 3.12.2008 SEC(2008) 2934 COMMISSION STAFF WORKING PAPER



accompanying the Proposal for a



DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL



on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)



(recast)



Summary of the Impact Assessment





{COM(2008) 810 final}

{SEC(2008) 2933} SUMMARY 1. Introduction The WEEE Directive aims to tackle improper treatment of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). This is the fastest growing waste stream in the EU, producing 8.3-9.1million tonnes in 2005, growing to 12.3 million tonnes of WEEE by 2020. Experience with the Directive, gathered from stakeholders and Member States during a 3 year review, points to the Directive not working as effectively as intended and problems with its efficiency in achieving its objectives - there are some unnecessary costs. 2. Problems with the Effectiveness There have been significant changes in the patterns of collection and disposal since the WEEE Directive came into force: the combined effect of higher global metal prices and stimulation of organised collection by the WEEE Directive have resulted in high amounts of WEEE being collected separately from domestic waste, with only an estimated 13% of WEEE going to landfill or incineration. The indications are that there is separate collection over 85% of WEEE arising, even though only 33% is officially reported as 'separately collected'. A large part of the unreported, but collected, WEEE may either be treated in the EU without due environmental care or illegally shipped to developing countries where parts of the valuable material are recycled in ways dangerous to the health and environment, or dumped. Based on current practice, this problem will grow rather than diminish, with an estimated 4.3 million tonnes improperly treated each year by 2020, increasing from 3.4 million tonnes in 2005. The predicted destination and collection of WEEE in 2020 is estimated below: Environmental Issues When WEEE is treated in the EU without proper procedures, environmental harm arises, in particular from release of heavy metals like mercury from compact fluorescent lamps and flat-screens, and lead from TV's. Cooling and freezing equipment will release an average of over 6,720 tonnes ozone-depleting greenhouse gases annually over 2011-20 causing climate damage monetised at around €1bn each year. In developing countries improper treatment and dumping of waste, is a health problem, with both adult and child workers being exposed to highly toxic substances whilst extracting valuable materials from WEEE with no health or environmental procedures. Recycling procedures that do not use best practice waste recyclable precious metals and plastics with knock-on energy use and environmental harm from production of virgin material.

Economic and Social Issues WEEE itself is an economic resource, with material value currently estimated in the order of magnitude of €2 bn a year. Whilst the economic costs for society of collection, disposing of and treating WEEE are estimated to increase to €5.6bn a year by 2020, including activity by public and informal sectors. With most of this activity taking place in the EU, this waste management activity brings revenue and employment to a waste treatment sector employing much manual labour. 3. Main Problems with the Efficiency of the Directive Of the unnecessary costs identified in the operation of the Directive the most significant come from uncertainty on the scope of the Directive and requirements for producers to register and report in each Member State they sell in. Specific activity required by business from these, and other avoidable administrative costs are estimated at €66m /year using the EU's standard cost method. These are set to continue. Differences in implementation practice on registration also lead to unwanted free-riding by distance-sellers, who pass their costs on to registered producers. 4. Options assessed To tackle problems with Effectiveness: Option 1: Take no action Option 2: Minimum inspection and enforcement requirements for treatment of WEEE Option 3: Minimum inspection and enforcement requirements for waste shipment Option 4: Increase collection target to align with quantities collected already (85% of WEEE arising), make producers responsible for this target, and include B2B equipment in the scope of the collection target; Option 5: Set collection targets for the environmentally most relevant streams; Option 6: Change the method of setting the target from kg/inhabitant to a % of the quantity of EEE put on the market in preceding year. To tackle problems with Efficiency: Option 1: Take no action To clarify scope and categorisation (alternatives): Option 2: Clarify the scope using fixed lists Option 3: Define the WEEE scope under the RoHS Directive Option 4: Classifying categories of equipment as WEEE from private households or B2B To cut administrative burden from registration and reporting (alternatives): Option 5: Inter-operability of national registers and harmonisation of reporting requirements