seeba

Status of the WEEE/RoHS Implementation in Belgium

Contents

Key Implementation Dates
Directive 2002/96/EC on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
Directive 2002/95/EC on the Restriction of the use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS)
Key Differences from Other Member States

Key Implementation Dates

RoHs directive was transposed by the Federal Government on the 12th October 2004. Published 20th October 2004
WEEE - Brussels transposed 5th June 2004. Published 28th July 2004
WEEE - Flanders transposed 14th July 2004. Published 8th October 2004
WEEE - Walloon transposed 4th May 2005

WEEE/RoHS Directive

RoHs - Dutch/French
WEEE Brussels - Dutch/French
WEEE Flanders - Dutch/French
WEEE - Wallooon

Key Differences from Other Member States - Brussels

Register: Thought to be' Service public fédéral Justice' (SPF). Needs confirmation

Business to business: Permission must be obtained before a producer can pass responsibility for WEEE to the user.

Retailers: Must display at each sales point a clearly visible sign headed ‘OBLIGATION TO TAKE BACK USED ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS’ and explain for each new product the costs of its collection,

Treatment: The producer must make reuse and treatment information available to the recycling/treatment companies.

Compliance Schemes: Probably Recupel (Translation) for all categories through the different sections of the organisation.

Key Differences from Other Member States - Flanders

Register: OVAM - Flemish Environment Agency (Translation)

WEEE Categories: 12 categories. Electrical and electronic tools is split into gardening tools and other electrical and electronic tools. A new category 'large and small household appliances not for household use; has been added.A detailed list for each category is to be established.

Separate collection targets: 5kg in 2004, 6kg in 2005, 7kg in 2006, then 8.5 kg from 2007.

Recovery and Recycling Targets Materials:

Ferrous metals - 95% recycling.
Non-ferrous metals - 95% recycling.
Plastics - 50%recycling; 80% recovery
batteries and accumulators - 65% recycling.

Recovery and Recycling Targets Products:

Batteries and accumulators 65% recycling .
Large household appliances and discharge lamps - 80% recycling; 85% recovery.
dispensing machines - 75% recycling; 80% recovery.
all other WEEE; 70% recycling; 75% recovery

Retailers: Must display at each sales point a clearly visible sign headed 'OBLIGATION TO TAKE BACK USED ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS' which explains the way in which the retailer meets the take-back requirements.

Compliance Schemes: Probably Recupel (Translation) for all categories through the different sections of the organisation.

Financial Guarantees: Only required for companies not in compliance schemes.

Historical Waste: A visible fee will be allowed up to 2011 (2013 for large appliances).

Reporting by Retailers and Distributors: Inform OVAM (the Flemish Environment Agency) by 1st July each year

Weight of WEEE taken back over the year.
Weight returned product selected for reuse.
Weight of WEEE returned to producers or other bodies.

Reporting by Producers: Inform OVAM (the Flemish Environment Agency) by 1st July each year

Weight of WEEE by category placed on the market.
Weight of WEEE by category taken back in the context of the take-back obligation.
Weight of WEEE by category that is recycled, recovered , incinerated or disposed of by other means.
Details of treatment facilities contracted and treatment methods used for the different categories.

Key Differences from Other Member States - Walloon

Register: Walloon Waste Agency. (Translation)

Business to business: Permission must be obtained from the Walloon Waste Agency before a producer can pass responsibility for WEEE to the user.

Retailers: Must display at each sales point a clearly visible sign headed 'OBLIGATION TO TAKE BACK USED ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS' and explain for each new product the costs of its collection, management, treatment and disposal. These costs may not be higher than the actual costs incurred.

Treatment: The producer must make reuse and treatment information available to the recycling/treatment companies

Compliance Schemes: Probably Recupel (Translation) for all categories through the different sections of the organisation.