Cowboy operators exploit WEEE regulations

The impact, effectiveness and credibility of the WEEE Directive is being undermined by rogue traders illegally exporting untreated WEEE to countries outside the EU.

The impact, effectiveness and credibility of the WEEE Directive is being undermined by rogue traders illegally exporting untreated WEEE to countries outside the EU - that's the warning from Graham Davy, Chief Executive of Sims Recycling Solutions.

Against a backdrop of UK businesses striving to ensure they are compliant with the new directive, introduced at the start of the July, already the recycling industry is seeing cowboy operators exploiting the regulations by taking end-of-life equipment and exporting it to countries with less stringent controls.

Current legislation states that while the export of untreated WEEE material is not illegal between EU members, it should not be shipped outside the EU without having been treated to ensure that all possible traces of hazardous waste are removed.

There is however, evidence that the illegal exportation of untreated WEEE is becoming more frequent with illegal operators classifying unprocessed materials as bona fide electronic equipment earmarked for re-use in developing countries.

Therefore making it "legal" in the eyes of the law and enabling it to be exported outside the EU.

"The illegal exportation of WEEE is a growing problem and it means that waste material, which is often hazardous, is being dumped in less developed countries, with African nations a favourite destination amongst cowboy operators", says Davy.

"It's a faceless crime and we don't know the exact figures involved as the practice is being undertaken by a small number of traders who are hard to trace".

"The problem, therefore, fails to be highlighted in the way it should be".

"With the UK finally adopting the directive, it means straight away that millions of tonnes of WEEE will be in circulation, adding to the European pile of waste".

"As many companies are still feeling their way regarding their obligations, this offers a big window of opportunity for those people looking to cash in by operating outside of the guidelines".

While the UK was one of the last countries to introduce the new legislation, it has been operational in many European countries for a number of years.

But with many nations putting minimal resource into policing the legislation, cross border implementation of the rules and communication between countries is limited - meaning that illegal shipments of WEEE are not be spotted as they leave one country and enter another.

"With so much at stake, those tasked with enforcing the directive in their respective countries need to act quickly and close the loopholes before further damage can be done to both the environment and the credibility of the legislation".

"This can only be done if countries make a commitment to provide adequate resources to 'police' the movement of WEEE, opening up the lines of communication and co-operation across borders", Davy concludes.

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