EU Commission, industry clash over electronic waste collection

European Commission and business representatives squabbled over whether to make manufacturers pay for collecting consumers' waste yesterday (29 January), during a debate on the proposed review of an EU directive on recycling waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).

In one of the first public debates on the Commission's proposal to recast the WEEE Directive, business and Commission representatives clashed over the way to revise rules for old electronic products.
In the wake of the EU executive's proposal, published in December, electronic equipment manufacturers have already expressed concern that the review will result in added costs for business without no real trade-offs.

Meanwhile, the Commission refers to the review as "an opportunity for EU companies to innovate and have access to valuable raw materials" and underlines its intention to cut red tape and reduce related costs for industry.