WRITTEN QUESTION E-1970/03 by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission. Recycling charges for household goods.
Date: 2003-06-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Ireland, electrical equipment, electronic device, environmental tax, household electrical appliance, waste management, waste recycling

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/61

Within this framework, the Commission invites the Spanish Authorities to send appropriate technical
experts to the meeting. Invitations are also extended to the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), World
Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) (Brussels), WWF (Spain), and Foundation for a New Water Culture, Platform
for the Defence of the Ebro and the Region of Aragon.

All participants in the meeting will be expected to have an appropriate technical background and a
detailed knowledge of the Ebro river and its delta.

(2004/C 78 E/0061)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1970/03

by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission

(13 June 2003)

Subject: Recycling charges for household goods

What is the Commission’s view of the charge that some, but not all, local authorities and private waste
management companies in Ireland impose on citizens for returning household goods (e.g. radios,
hairdryers, kettles, etc.) for recycling? Does the Commission believe that these charges are compatible with
the recycling aims of EU waste management policies and with the WEEE Directive, which has to be
implemented by August 2004? Would the Commission agree that such charges represent a disincentive to
citizens to return goods for recycling?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(25 July 2003)

The Commission is aware that charging consumers at the point of return may have negative repercussions
on the collection results for waste electrical and electronic equipment (1). This is the reason for the free
take back obligation for household equipment in Article 5 (2a) of Directive 2002/96/EC of the Parliament
and of the Council of 27 January 2003, on waste electrical and electrical equipment (WEEE) (2). This
Article provides that ‘for WEEE from private households, Member States shall ensure that by 13 August
2005, systems are set up allowing final holders and distributors to return such waste at least free of
charge’.

However, until that date there is no Community legislation that would forbid charges on citizens for
returning household electrical and electronic equipment.

(1) OJ C 365 E, 19.12.2000.
(2) OJ L 37, 13.2.2003.

(2004/C 78 E/0062)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1971/03

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(13 June 2003)

Subject: Flying ultralight aircraft

Pleasure and sports flights on board ultralight aircraft are apparently governed by specific regulations in all
EU Member States. Under the Italian regulations, pilots of such aircraft may be given the green light to fly
without being required to show their ‘flight plan’, unlike pilots of standard flights. At present most states
accept that such flights may even cross borders; however, the Italian authorities have recently stated that
they are not prepared to recognise a German ‘green light’ given to flights over Italian territory because the
relevant documents are not identical in the two countries.