Latest News

A new Specification - PAS 141

Perfectly timed in relation to the plethora of illegal exports is the introduction of a new specification called PAS 141.  This standard has been launched to make it easier to identify whether used electrical equipment is definitely fit for reuse in the UK and also therefore can legally be sent overseas. The specification, formally titled the ‘PAS 141: 2011 Reuse of used and waste electrical and electronic equipment (UEEE and WEEE)’, has been published by the British Standards Institution (BSI), on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).  It is expected to encourage the growth of the reuse sector by giving the potential purchasers of reuse electrical and electronic equipment (REEE) confidence that it has met standards in areas such as safety and guarantees of functionality. It also aims to assure electronics manufacturers that the placing of products on the market for reuse will not adversely affect their brands or reputations for safety and quality. 

Under the PAS 141, anyone involved in WEEE reuse will be expected to meet requirements for testing and inspecting equipment, as well as tracking equipment through the process of preparing it for reuse and recording the tests carried out – both for reuse in the UK and overseas.

 

Illegal Export of WEEE - update

A trial date has been set for 8 men involved in the illegal export of WEEE from the UK to Nigeria. It’s the latest stage of an investigation which commenced in August 2008.  The hearing is to take place on the 11^th March. The Agency has said with reference to the case: "The law is clear that broken electricals, including everyday items such as mobiles, smart phones, laptops and TVs, cannot be sent overseas for disposal. As well as precious metals such as gold, copper and aluminium, electrical waste can contain hazardous substances including mercury and lead that are harmful to people and the environment." At the hearing, a further three men present in the court were told to return to Havering Magistrates Court on February 23 under an ‘old style' committal procedure. This involves court papers being read out and the court deciding whether there is a case to answer at trial. 

New Director of Gambica B2B Compliance

Following the retirement of Geoff Young as Chief Executive of GAMBICA and Director of B2B Compliance we welcome Dr Graeme Philp, the new Chief executive of GAMBICA as a new Director of the B2B Compliance Scheme. Graeme thanked Geoff “for all the work that he had put in over the years to oversee the creation, development and operation of the Scheme since its inception in 2004 and which has delivered a Scheme focused upon legal compliance and professional support to its Members”. Graeme has a wealth of experience in industry, as Chief Executive of MTL Instrument Group PLC for over 17 years; he managed the handover of the company in early 2008 to Cooper Industries.  Upon leaving the company in 2009, Graeme has since been working as an independent consultant helping small companies to grow their international business. He is, therefore, no stranger to the pressures and concerns Producers face and his expertise will be invaluable in the continued success of B2B Compliance.

2009 Declaration of Compliance - B2B Compliance Approval

B2B Compliance is pleased to announce that the scheme Declaration of Compliance for the 2009 Compliance period has been approved.  The Declaration confirms that B2B Compliance has met its legal obligations under the WEEE Regulations for 2009.   B2B Compliance has worked diligently on behalf of Members to ensure compliance and will continue to do so for 2010 onwards.

Mark Prisk named as new “WEEE Minister”

Mark Prisk has been confirmed as the minister with responsibility for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment at the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS). The news came after the coalition Government announced that the department will have to find £836 million of savings in 2010/11, as part of wider plans to cut the national deficit.

Mark Prisk is the Conservative MP for Hertford and Stortford and has been given a portfolio which covers several business sectors including WEEE. Mr Prisk will work under Liberal Democrat Vince Cable, who was appointed secretary of state for business on 12th May. Mr Prisk's WEEE-related priorities in his first few months in the post are likely to include overseeing the UK's role in European negotiations over the recast of the WEEE Directive - a process that could see Producers facing, for the first time, collection targets for non-household WEEE.

Illegal Export of WEEE

The illegal export of waste continues to gain media attention, a report that was particularly interesting was run on a BBC programme called ‘Inside Out’ aired in the London Area but relevant to the whole of the UK.   Reporter Mark Jordan, tracked the transfer of broken or waste electrical goods passed off as fit-for-purpose which is then sold in countries such as Ghana and Nigeria.  Please follow the link below to view a condensed version of the report which shows the effects that the illegally exported WEEE has on the environment and society.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00rdxqp#synopsis

The article highlights the need for final users of WEEE to take responsibility and ensure that when they arrange the collection and recycling of WEEE they use reputable companies who hold the correct licenses to handle waste electrical electronic equipment.  In a statement issued by the EA this week, Adrian Harding reported that there are major investigations that are on going into the illegal export of WEEE.  Awareness of the need for companies to be vigilant as to who they are giving their WEEE to has been emphasised by the EA particularly focusing on the IT and Telecommunications sector.

Companies shouldn’t just rely on assurances from disposal companies but ask for the process to be audited with proof of where the kit will eventually go, said Harding. “There are plenty of commercial and not for profit organisations that can deal with IT equipment legally and responsibly. Using these gives you peace of mind and helps to turn off the supply to the organised criminals involved in the illegal export of waste,” he said.

We can reassure that all operators used by B2B Compliance have been audited and their systems and policies scrutinized to ensure that they operate responsibly and as per the WEEE legislation.

B2B Compliance now welcoming household-focused Producers

Responding to strong demand from Producers supplying household electrical and electronic (EEE) products, B2B Compliance is now welcoming producers focused on the consumer sector, to the WEEE Compliance Scheme.  

B2B Compliance is a scheme approved to meet the obligations of both producers who sell EEE into the business sector and the consumer sector.  Its main objective has been to meet the obligations of business-focused producers with a small consumer obligation.  B2B Compliance is keen to express, that they also have the ability, resources, expertise and position to offer their services to companies whose core sales, or only sales, are into the consumer sector.

The WEEE compliance marketplace is now showing signs of maturity, B2B Compliance solidly holding over 480 members and the support of 13 Trade Associations.

David Burton, Project Director of B2B Compliance commented that “the support of both producers and trade associations demonstrates that B2B Compliance is a leader in the WEEE Compliance market place, this is why it is important the scheme now openly welcomes consumer producers to enable them to access the high level of service available”. This announcement is made following the successful re approval application of B2B Compliance.