New Waste Management Regulations

The new Waste Management Regulations 2005 (S.I 2005/340) came into force on the 5th July 2005 giving effect to the EU WEEE Directive and enshrining the “polluter pays” principle.

• All manufacturers, importers, exporters, and brand owners (producers) must register with the WEEE Register.
• From the 13th August 2005 produces must finance the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment.
• They must propositionally contribute (according to their market share) to such equipment sold prior to 13th August 2005.
• Producers may register with WEEE Ireland or ERP Ireland – the two bodies approved by the Department of the Environment to operate a collective compliance scheme. They must register by 20th July 2005.
• Retailers must take back electrical and electronic products on a one for one basis where the customer is buying a new product.
• Local Authorities are to create registers of retailers of electrical and electronic goods within their functional areas.
• From 13th August 2005 retailers cannot sell the goods of producers who are not registered with one or other of the two approved bodies.
• Consumers must be supplied with information to indicate that the goods cannot be disposed of in the municipal waste collection.
• Any environmental management costs must be displayed to the consumer

© Kilroys Solicitors August 2005