De minimis threshold for WEEE producers – what’s happening?

The Environment Agency has recently sent out an attachment to all WEEE producers about the introduction of a de minimis threshold. The changes discussed in the attachment relate to the WEEE consultation that took place earlier this year.

In the consultation it was proposed that a de minimis threshold be introduced for WEEE producers to help reduce the administrative burden on businesses.  The government favoured a 5 tonne threshold and the recent correspondence indicates this is where the threshold is being drawn.

However, guidance during the consultation made reference to the possibility that this de minimis threshold may not be applied consistently across B2C and B2B producers. This remains to be clarified when the final consultation is published and full guidelines are drawn up by the Environment Agency (EA) and the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS).  

It is likely that the new system for small WEEE producers will be similar to that under the batteries regulations.  ecosurety already performs registration for over 60 small producers of batteries and will be able to provide a similar registration service for WEEE producers which fall below the threshold.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact your account manager at ecosurety or call 0845 094 2228.

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