WEEE and RoHS Directives – electronic and electrical equipment – business errors are being made

The UK Regulations implementing two EU Directives, namely (1) the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment ("WEEE") Directive and (2) the Restriction on the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment ("RoHS") Directive, are expected to be made in the UK this summer. The main producer responsibility obligations imposed by the UK Regulations are due to come into force in 2006.

The requirements of these Directives are not solely of concern to environment and compliance managers. There are a growing number of anecdotal examples that the wider business implications of these Directives are not always being considered at a high enough level. Indeed there are examples where, for one reason or another, serious errors in business planning are proving very costly.