Setback for electronic waste plan

A Europe-wide regulation designed to minimise the level of harmful waste produced by electronic and electrical products and encourage more sustainable production in the industry has been dealt a setback with the news that its implementation will be delayed. The Government has announced that the Waste from Electronic and Electrical Equipment Directive (WEEE) will be brought in from June 2006, later than expected.

The level of preparation needed for the introduction of the scheme, along with ‘continuing concerns expressed by the business community’ are the reasons announced for the decision to postpone implementation.

"This Directive is about dealing effectively with electrical waste which can be damaging to the environment. It is challenging and has required a lot of planning and preparation but our priority is to get this right," said DTI Minister, Malcolm Wicks.