WEEE compliance - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: John Coloccia
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2015, 01:16:36 pm
content: Could anyone who sells in Europe give me some sort of tutorial on how to get WEEE compliant in all EU countries? It's on my list of things to do, but I'll be damned if I can figure out just exactly what to do, who to register with, how to handle take back of material, how much it costs, etc etc etc.If I had a European distributor/retailer, can they handle importing and all this crippy crap, or do I need to do it myself for every country?Any help anyone could offer would be most appreciated, especially if you're a small business. My product weighs about a pound and I don't foresee selling very many in Europe, so for countries that have minimums I'm sure I'm under. Ideally, I'd just like to find one distributor that can just handle it so I don't need to worry about anything on my end except RoHs.Again, thanks for any help.

author: tron9000
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2015, 05:14:20 pm
content: here's a video I did on WEEE, there is a section in it that explains about handling of such items:From what I understand if somebody in the EU imports your device with intent to act as a distributor, then they have to sort out the recycling part of the deal in order for it to be WEEE compliant. I am by no way qualified to give any legal advice on this - but this is what I understand.http://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guides-and-advice/electrical-items/recycling-electrical-items/?gclid=Cj0KEQjw5MGxBRDiuZm2icXX2-sBEiQA619bq2IX0PkfDrTk9ybZHSmBlcKqytlAy3FofdLeYJ4OO6MaAgV88P8HAQ

author: John Coloccia
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2015, 05:37:39 pm
content: Thanks, Tron. I'll watch the video tonight. I feel bad because I have to keep telling European customers "No". Even if I don't make much there, I'd at least like to stop burning bridges with potential customers.

author: Neilm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2015, 07:39:16 pm
content: Quote from: tron9000 on October 28, 2015, 05:14:20 pmThat is also the case with safety and EMC approvals required for the CE mark.

author: John Coloccia
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2015, 08:23:37 pm
content: Quote from: Neilm on October 28, 2015, 07:39:16 pmFortunately, I'm exempt for that. Everything I do, so far anyhow, is 9-18V DC, well below the threshold.I'll tell you what, though. EMC testing has kept me from bringing digital products to market. It's just an enormous barrier to get through the first time out. My first digital product could put me out of business if it's not a strong seller. If they're going to levy requirements like this on businesses, they should really have some assistance available for a guy like me to get their foot in the door.

author: _Andrew_
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2015, 08:38:43 pm
content: Valpak in the UK provide compliance services including WEEE for business. It would probably be worth having a rummage on there website.http://www.valpak.co.uk/compliance-services/weeeIt is not just WEEE there are all sorts of things that EU require products to comply to.Just as an exampleHad dealings with a product that had a red coloured soft set on off button that failed on compliance because it is not an emergency stop button so every unit had to be opened up to replace the membrane keypad for one with a different coloured on off button

author: GNU_Ninja
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 10:11:06 am
content: Personally, I wouldn't bother, life's to short. The WEEE regulations like all EU regulations are merely there to provide 'activity' for vast armies of otherwise unemployable EU bureacrats. In practice the regulations are impractical, unworkable and unenforceable.Sell your stuff regardless, and a BIG bollocks to the bureacrats of the EU.Having skimmed through some of the WEEE bullshit, it has only reinforced my belief that the UK should cut loose from the EU, if we ever get a referendum over here, I for one will be voting to get the hell out.

author: tron9000
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 10:15:33 am
content: Quote from: blueskull on October 29, 2015, 09:20:19 amhttps://www.gov.uk/guidance/manufactured-goods-and-electromagnetic-compatibilityIt does say that placing a CE marking on your product does mean you conform to EU regulations/laws - those regulations/laws include EMC , but so long as you can prove it if the proverbial hits the fan that your product does not interfere with another, you should be good, hence why its sensible you get an EMC test done.In a nutshell so long as your product does not interfere with another, via EM emissions or conducted emissions (down the mains) nor be susceptible to common emission such as radio, mobile signals, brown-outs, mains spikes, etc (application dependent) and you can prove it - then you comply tosomeof the CE.Saying that - how many devices have we all bought from ebay from Hong Kong with those CE stickers on? I mean look atBig Clivesvideos on youtube!However this is taking a tangent - EMC and WEEE aren't related to each other - they are only linked by the same laws regarding electronic equipment in the EU.Again - this is personal experience and understanding - I am in no way qualified in a legal sense.

author: tron9000
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 10:24:07 am
content: Quote from: GNU_Ninja on October 29, 2015, 10:11:06 amwhislt I agree that yes they are a bunch of pencil pushing, armchair activists, they are doing some good.Landfill now less less harmful elements in them that could harm the local flora/fauna/population. Most of the stuff is being recycled - which means cheaper goods to you and cheaper components and jobs for people. Yes RoHS has spawned the bain on your lives that is lead free solder but so what? just throw some flux on that mofo!If you wanna cut loose from the EU, ok, but there will be economic reprecussions...you will see less trade with mainland europe.

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 10:38:37 am
content: Quote from: tron9000 on October 29, 2015, 10:24:07 amIt gets actually worse than that - if he will want to sell to EU countries, he willstillhave to satisfy those regulation even if UK leaves the EU. But now he will have zero influence on them through elections, lobbying, etc. I sort of fail to see the advantage in that, but I am not in the UKOf course, the above assumes that UK leaving the EU == automatic abolishing stuff like the obligatory certifications, CE marking, recycling regulations and what not. Which is highly unlikely, at least short term. And long term at least some regulation will have to remain in place anyway to be able to trade with the rest of civilized world ...

author: tron9000
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 10:42:14 am
content: Quote from: janoc on October 29, 2015, 10:38:37 ambang on!

author: John Coloccia
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 12:19:58 pm
content: Quote from: blueskull on October 29, 2015, 09:20:19 amThere's no way for me (or most businesses, actually) to do a test in house, and getting through the first time could cost tens of thousands of dollars by the time you're done getting that first product through. It's quite a steep barrier.

author: GNU_Ninja
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 12:48:22 pm
content: This

author: tron9000
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 03:56:43 pm
content: so if we leave and shit hits the fan and nobody comes to help - can I personal say told you so to you and this saggy jumper wearing fella?

author: Neilm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 07:52:46 pm
content: Quote from: tron9000 on October 29, 2015, 10:15:33 am