WEEE Article 17 Free-riders Project

This report summarizes project activities from 2022 to 2024, which aimed to enhance the implementation and enforcement of the WEEE Directive, especially regarding authorized representatives and the reduction of free-riding. The project's key outputs included two short studies analyzing national measures against free-riding and the diverse implementation of the WEEE Directive concerning enforcement, highlighting the variety of approaches across EU member states. While a planned joint statement on a new EU WEEE legislation was cancelled, the project underscored the "United in Diversity" nature of national efforts to combat free-riding and improve WEEE management, facilitated by the exchange of information and best practices within the IMPEL network

This report, conducted by the IMPEL WEEE Art. 17 project, examines the differences in the implementation of the WEEE Directive across European countries, specifically concerning national EEE registers and the appointment of authorized representatives to combat free-riding. The study found significant variations in the design, maintenance, and accessibility of national EEE registers, as well as in the number and roles of authorized representatives, reflecting the flexibility of the WEEE Directive in accommodating national circumstances.

This report focuses on the activities carried out from 2020 to March 2021 to reduce “free-riders,” producers who fail to register and meet their obligations under the WEEE Directive. The report includes a detailed annex with the project's terms of reference, outlining goals, activities, and budget projections.

This report details the activities of their WEEE Article 17 Free-riders Project during 2020-2021. It outlines project meetings, including a virtual annual meeting necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and mentions the completion of guidelines for producers while noting delays on guidelines for regulatory authorities due to the pandemic's impact. The report also highlights the use of collaborative tools like Basecamp to enhance cooperation among member states in addressing free-riders and exchanging information on national WEEE legislation and enforcement.

This report provides project activities in 2019 and present the guidance for electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) pro0ucers on appointing authorized representatives (ARs) in different European Union (EU) member states. It explains Article 17 of the EU’s Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive, which outlines the requirements for ARs. The report includes an annex containing detailed guidance specific to each member state. The report stresses that each member state's requirements differ, making guidance necessary.

This guidance from IMPEL provides information for Producers of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) on how to appoint an Authorised Representative (AR) in various EU and European Free Trade Area member states. It details the appointment process, including the requirement for a written mandate, and outlines the roles and responsibilities of the AR, which typically involve fulfilling national obligations on behalf of the producer.