The European Union (EU) Waste Electronics and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) Directive, and its companion, the Restrictions on Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive are now in effect in the EU. These Directives represent a fundamental shift in the way government regulates the electronics industry, away from a focus on manufacturing processes and toward a focus on products. This shift reflects a growing acceptance of the principle of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), based on an assumption that design innovation and environmental benefits can be achieved if manufacturers are responsible for the end-of-life management of their products. EPR forces the manufacturer (or the importer) to address environmental impacts during use and internalize the cost in the product.

WEEE and RoHS are not alone, they are only part of a global trend of increasingly stringent legislation. Click here to learn more about other regulatory drivers globe effecting the electronics supply chain.

Click on the right hand side to find out more about the WEEE & RoHS Directives.