Comply Direct News

17 February 2010: Proposed Mixed WEEE Protocol Review

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 10:15:00 +0000

The current mixed WEEE protocol has been in place since collections began under the UK WEEE Regulations on July 1st 2007.The UK collection infrastructure is well established and now seems a good time to revisit these protocols to develop a more accurate picture.�� There are indications that the actual levels of contamination are less than the protocol states. The collection sites deserve credit for this but the UK should also reflect the extra WEEE tonnages captured. Accurate data is needed.�

The WEEE Scheme Forum (WSF), a group comprising many of the UK�s compliance schemes has formed a working group to review the protocol. This working group, �the protocol task force�, will meet in London for the first time on March 11th 2010.�� The task force has the support of Government and will:�

�� Set out and agree the parameters for a statistically significant sampling exercise to create a new mixed WEEE protocol to be applied to mixed WEEE collections
Determine the cost to carry out such an exercise. WSF members have committed to fund reasonable cost but other PCSs and AATFs will also be invited to participate.
Assuming the costs are acceptable, appoint an independent contractor to carry out the various sampling/counting activities in conjunction with a number of collection and/or treatment organisations.
Develop and agree a new protocol to replace the existing one, to take effect from Jan 1st 2011.

WSF members include B2B compliance, Blue Compliance, Budgetpack, Comply Direct, DHL, Electrolink, ERP, Recolight, REPIC, Transform, Valpak and Veolia.

21 September 2009: Batteries compliance offer further strengthened

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:25:00 +0100

UK government approved WEEE Producer Compliance Schemes Comply Direct and WEEEComply have joined forces with CCR REBAT to meet their members� battery compliance obligations.

The two WEEE schemes are both delighted to have agreed partnership arrangements with CCR REBAT that they feel will ensure a cost effective, secure and value added batteries compliance solution is delivered.

With the deadline for large obligated portable batteries producers needing to register with an approved batteries compliance scheme (BCS) being the 15th October 2009 getting ever closer it was imperative that such a solution was put in place sooner rather than later.

Managing Director of Comply Direct, Gareth Roberts, commented, �We�re delighted to have reached an agreement with CCR REBAT to meet the batteries compliance obligations of our membership base. We feel that CCR REBAT was always a clear candidate to be our partner of the potential schemes that had applied for approval. CCR REBAT have considerable past experience of handling waste batteries across Europe and already have an excellent proven logistics and treatment networks in place.�

The MD of WEEEComply, Andrew Francis, commented, �I am very pleased to have reached this agreement on behalf of WEEEComply members. After looking closely at all of the prospective battery schemes I firmly believe that CCR REBAT offers the best solution for WEEEComply members to comply with these new and challenging regulations.�

CCR REBAT has been flexible in their approach to working alongside both Comply Direct and WEEEComply to ensure that the schemes remain the point of contact for their members on the batteries front. This approach will keep the administrative burden to a minimum for scheme members yet will deliver them a dependable and cost effective batteries compliance solution.��

The MD of CCR UK Ltd, Stephan Matz, says, �We are very delighted to be selected to provide an outstanding, cost effective and transparent service to the customers of Comply Direct and WEEE Comply. CCR REBAT belongs with over 60,000 tonnages of collected and treated waste batteries in 13 countries of the EU to the largest battery take back systems in Europe. �The logistics of CCR REBAT is already established. One of the main challenges will be the limited capacity at the treatment facilities in the EU. There is no recycling plant for portable batteries in the UK. But CCR REBAT does have the access to the recyclers across Europe which warrants a stable and safe service to Comply Direct�s and WEEE Comply�s customers�, Stephan Matz says.

In addition to that, CCR REBAT is successfully running approved Battery Compliance Schemes (BCS) in Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland and Austria and it is currently applying to become a BCS in Spain, Romania and Bulgaria apart from the UK. Up to now, more than 100 employers have joined CCR REBAT in different countries. �We invite all battery producers to contact us. Our customers will get any support and service in order to comply with the Batteries Regulations. That�s our core business.�

The Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009 have been introduced to reduce amount of waste batteries that currently end up in UK landfill sites each year. They establish a legal framework and schemes for collecting, treating and recycling portable, industrial and vehicle batteries. The regulations apply to all types of batteries except when used for military and space equipment.

The recycling targets are challenging yet achievable requiring that 25 per cent of portable batteries are recycled by 2012, rising to 45 per cent by 2016.

Notes to editors:

Producers are defined as companies that put batteries, or equipment containing batteries, on the�market for the first time in the UK.�
Producers that place more than 1 tonne of portable batteries on the market per year are required to join an approved compliance scheme by the 15th Oct 2009.
From January 1st 2010, producers that place more than 1 tonne of batteries on the market will be obligated to finance the recycling of 10% of those batteries in 2010.
Companies that provide batteries on a professional basis to an end user will be known as distributors and will have obligations to take back waste portable batteries in stores that sell more than 32kg of batteries per year.�
Distributor obligations start from 1st February 2010.

17 September 2009: How to save energy, time and money

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:31:00 +0100

We have been able to build a strong carbon management team and we now offer a diverse range of carbon/energy related consultancy services from simple carbon footprints, to carbon offsetting, to devising CSR policy, to energy management systems, to CRC support and guidance, to carbon trading and so on.

If you are interested in finding out more on how our carbon management services whether it be to meet your legal obligations under CRC or whether it be on the voluntary carbon front then we can benefit your business. Simply call us on 0844 873 1034 or complete the enquiry form.

15 September 2009: Fed up with paying too much for WEEE compliance?

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:30:00 +0100

We have been providing low cost, hassle-free WEEE compliance since the regualtions came into force back in 2006.�

We aim to continue to be the lowest cost of all UK compliance schemes by operating with the highest commercial knowledge and understanding.

Our online services are accessible and easy to use. As a member you can access all resources and submit the required documentation online avoiding excessive administration and saving time. Subsequent cost benefits for Comply Direct are passed onto the member.

Comply Direct is the clear choice for companies looking for a smarter way to fulfil their WEEE obligations. We have an impact by reducing costs and keeping your administration down to a minimum. Get a cost comparison or become a member today.