Industry Specific Guidance

WEEE Challenges

Companies impacted by the WEEE Regulations include manufactures, rebranders and importers of equipment for the point-of-use drinking water sector, such as:

• Water Coolers
• Carbonated Coolers
• Ultraviolet and Ozone Sanitation
• Hot & Cold Coolers
• Water Boilers

Lease of Equipment - The vast majority of units are leased, not sold. In this case, the ‘final-user’ as defined in WEEE legislation is determined to be the leasing company itself. This means that distributor ‘final-users’ are far more likely to be aware of the impacts of the WEEE Legislation than the average WEEE final-user. Subsequently a higher proportion of water coolers are requested for collection and recycling compared to other WEEE, placing a higher financial burden on Producers.

Hazardous Nature - Some types of old equipment contain ozone-depleting CFC gases which are classed as hazardous. This can have storage implications when these items reach their end-of-life.

 

B2B Compliance Solutions

With this heightened level of knowledge at the final-user stage of the business model, it became clear that a structured and flexible approach was needed to meet the needs of water cooler producers. B2B Compliance ensures best value recycling efficiencies, minimise the impact of WEEE on their businesses.

B2B Compliance has been able to create such an approach with the support and backing of the European Point-of-use Drinking Water Association EPDWA.

The EPDWA has been formed to promote, develop and maintain the highest standards of hygiene, safety and ethics within the European Point-Of-Use Drinking Water industry to the benefit of customers. This is achieved by providing members with information, support and training and representing their interests at local, national and European levels. www.epdwa.org