LONDON -- The U.K.'s top energy official today suggested that the deadline for implementation of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment directive would be pushed back.

In a statement, Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks said progress on the implementation of WEEE is to be reviewed immediately. "We have listened to the concerns expressed by both the business community and other stakeholders over the implementation process and have decided that more time is needed to get the implementation right. Although any further delay is regrettable, this will ultimately deliver far greater environmental benefits."


In his statement Wicks did not place a new date for domestic compliance to WEEE, and reiterated the U.K. government's support for the directive. He noted, however, the struggle many companies are encountering in implementing the new recycling law. "This government is firmly committed to sustainable development and recognises that effective implementation of the WEEE directive has a key role to play in achieving this goal.

"The directive is challenging and effective implementation of its obligations requires a lot of planning and preparation. It is vital that the producers, retailers and the waste industry together with government have the appropriate plans, infrastructure and regulations in place."

Recovery targets were due to go into effect Aug. 13, 2005. Circuits Assembly reported earlier this week that the government is considering a proposal to delay the legislation until June 2006, with producer responsibility commencing in January 2007.

The WEEE directive requires producers to pay for treatment and recycling or recovery of all WEEE products. Under the law, retailers are obligated to offer takeback services to householders and will be providing a network of collection facilities where consumers can take back their WEEE for it to be collected separately from other municipal waste.

Wicks said Energy officials would work with Defra and the Environment Agency to provide guidance on draft regulations and guidance this spring. 

Defra handles certain aspects of domestic implementation, including drawing up guidance on how WEEE must be treated, waste permitting, assessing producers’ compliance with the collection, recycling and recovery targets. The Environment Agency is responsible for enforcement.

Liz Parkes, head of waste regulation at the Environment Agency, said: "While we are keen to see producer responsibility implemented for WEEE, we want to be confident that it will deliver real benefits for the environment. We welcome DTI's announcement and will be supporting the policy review to ensure that implementation imposes the minimum regulatory burden for all concerned."