Catering
Initially thought to be omitted from the impact of the WEEE Legislation, the Catering Equipment Sector found itself the unfortunate recipient of bad news – it has been confirmed that the sector should regard itself as falling under Categories 1 & 2 – albeit from a non-household aspect. B2B Compliance has been involved from that point on - providing a simple-to-use system that allows the catering equipment producers to minimise the impact of WEEE on their businesses.
This has been recognised by the Catering Equipment Suppliers Association CESA who are active supporters of B2B Compliance and have, on several occasions, run seminars specifically covering these issues, with B2B Compliance as a speaker.
Keith Warren of CESA:
CESA represents over 130 companies who supply commercial kitchen equipment. CESA has been active in its discussions with the UK Government and also with the European commission in trying to help define the scope of the directive. Electrically energised commercial kitchen equipment is seen to perform the same function as household equipment and therefore is considered by BERR to be in scope. This may not be the interpretation in other European Countries, a point that is actively being represented by the European Catering Equipment Manufacturers Association (EFCEM) of which CESA is a member. This disparity is against the principal of the single market and is a cause of significant problems for companies distributing throughout Europe.
CESA is pleased to be working with B2B Compliance in conjunction with its members in order to provide clarity in the area of compliance and solutions to the treatment of WEEE for end users of equipment.
Catering equipment is predominantly metal based and usually has a large proportion of non-electronic components – nonetheless the weight of the whole item falls under the WEEE legislation. B2B Compliance has come up with innovative approaches to ensure that the impact of such disproportions is minimised and that the benefits that can be drawn from the WEEE legislation are optimised. While our objective is to protect Producers' interests we are also seeking to solve the challenges facing our members' customers.
Another area of concern is the removal of the old WEEE and the timing of this action to ensure minimal adverse impact on the Members’ clientele. Again, B2B Compliance has come up with a range of alternatives designed to meet the most commonly faced scenarios – but with the flexibility to meet such alternatives that the Member may wish to put forward.
B2B Compliance is always able to offer a competitive collection from any site in the UK – please contact us for a quote.
