Industry Specific Guidance

WEEE Challenges

It was evident from an early stage that Producers of the following types of equipment would be impacted by the WEEE legislation, particularly 'monitoring and control instruments' which are specifically included in the 10 product categories.

• Industrial automation products and systems
• Process measurement and control equipment and systems
• Environmental analysis and monitoring equipment
• Laboratory technology
• Test and measurement equipment for electrical and electronics industries

Scope issues - WEEE legislation was developed with Producers in mind, that supply EEE products to households and as such, Producers that supply products to non households discover that there are many complexities and ‘grey areas’ in terms of scope. This is especially true for businesses in the instrumentation sector, as many produce components that are deemed out of scope. Others produce systems, for example fire detection and warning systems that were previously thought to fall under the "Fixed Installation" exemption, but now fall within scope of the Regulations.

 

B2B Compliance Solutions

GAMBICA, the UK Trade Association for instrumentation, control, automation and laboratory technology, has represented industry’s position on the legislation for many years. This has involved intense lobbying both in the UK and in Brussels in an effort to ensure pragmatic legislation and to minimise its impact on this sector.

The Association, in consultation with GAMBICA member companies, established B2B Compliance in order to meet the obligations of companies in the non-household sector. B2B Compliance provides comprehensive advice and guidance concerning scope issues and ensures that Members have a due diligence process to follow.

"Since the creation of B2B Compliance as a not-for-profit scheme to meet industry's requirements under the WEEE Directive, GAMBICA has welcomed both member and non-member companies into membership of the Scheme. The Association has also welcomed the support of a broad range of industry based Trade Associations, many of whose members are also subject to the legislation"

Chief Executive of GAMBICA

B2B Compliance is also supported by The British Electrotechnical & Allied Manufacturers Associations (BEAMA) and The Council for Gas Detection and Environmental Monitoring (CoGDEM), both providing a wide range of services and comprehensive advice to producers in the instrumentation sector and supporting our approach to delivering WEEE Compliance for their members.

GAMBICA currently has a membership of over 200 companies including the major multinationals in the sector and a significant number of smaller and medium size companies. The scope of the Association covers the five principle sectors of the industry, within which many companies are obligated under the WEEE legislation and have become members of the B2B Compliance Scheme.