WEEE Distributor obligation

If you are a seller or retailer of EEE, you are classified as a ‘distributor’ under the Regulations and you have two options to choose from. Distributors are responsible for providing ‘an adequate network’ of free disposal facilities to consumers for household WEEE. This responsibility is discharged through the option of two methods:

In-store take back
Distributor take back scheme (DTS)

If you opt for in-store take back of goods you must display signs in your shop or on your website to say that you do this. This means offering to take back from customers on a one-for-one basis, any product of a similar type sold by them. This requirement applies whether products are sold in a store, delivered to a customer premises or sold on-line.

The DTS option exempts you from in-store take back, but you will be required to pay a fee for this exemption. Under either option, you must display notices in-store advising customers about environmental issues related to WEEE and how it can be best recycled. More details can be obtained from Comply Direct Ltd.

The Vehicles Certification Agency (VCA) are the enforcement body for WEEE distributor obligations.