WEEE Directive (2012/19/EU)

The RoHS directive is closely linked with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) 2012/19/EU, which defines collection, recycling and recovery targets for electrical goods and is part of a legislative initiative to address the problem of electronic waste. The WEEE Directive / Regulations apply to companies that manufacture, sell, distribute, recycle, or treat electrical and electronic equipment, as well as to consumers in the European Community. 

According to the WEEE Directive, there are ten categories of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) including: 

1. Large Household Appliances (e.g. washing machines, cookers)
2. Small Household Appliances (e.g. toasters, irons, hairdryers)
3. IT and Telecommunications Equipment (e.g. PCs, copiers, phones, mobiles)
4. Consumer Equipment (e.g. TVs, videos, hi-fis)
5. Lighting Equipment (e.g. fluorescent lamps, but excludes filament lightbulbs)
6. Electrical and Electronic Tools (e.g. lawnmowers, sewing machines, drills)
7. Toys, Leisure and Sports Equipment (e.g. video games, bike computers, slot machines)
8. Medical devices, except implanted and infected products (e.g. ventilators, analysers)
9. Monitoring and control instruments (e.g. smoke detectors, thermostats)
10. Automatic dispensers (e.g. drinks dispensers, chocolate dispensers, ATMs) 

While there are many different materials that go into creating EEE, many products contain valuable metals and resources that need to be recycled and some products contain materials, components and substances which can be dangerous to the environment and harmful to human health if proper treatment does not take place at the product's end of life. Products labeled with the symbol of a crossed-out wheeled bin as shown below are EEE (see below). The crossed-out wheeled bin denotes that WEEE must not be disposed of with the remainder of unseparated household waste, but should instead be collected separately and managed in an environmentally sound manner.

Depending on your location, WEEE can be returned free of charge by any person to recycling stations, from retailers who sell EEE when a 'like for like' product (i.e. the same type of product) is purchased, other collection sites, or it may be collected directly from the households. For more detailed product take-back information, please refer to our country specific contacts listed below.

As a European consumer, you are not allowed to dispose of WEEE together with your household waste. While it is primarily the distance seller's obligation to collect WEEE free of charge, on delivery of a new 'like for like 'product, it is the consumer's responsibility to ensure that their WEEE is not disposed of in regular household waste.

You should instead use the designated collection points, equipment collection schemes or you can simply return your product directly to the producer or retailer where you originally purchased your equipment if you are buying a new 'like for like' model. In this way, the environmental impact associated with disposal of WEEE is reduced and there will be more opportunity for reusing, recycling and recovering WEEE.

Micron Commercial Products Group is dedicated to minimizing the impact our products have on the environment. The European WEEE Directive and some applicable FAQs can be found here:

Although European Member State implementation of the WEEE Directive is similar in nature, the actual requirements and collection schemes vary from country to country. As more states and countries both within and outside of the EU pass recycling legislation, Micron Commercial Products Group will continue offer take-back schemes in these countries.

Here are all the schemes we are currently registered with. Included is the identification of the scheme, their address and contact information, and website information where consumers can learn how to return their WEEE for recycling free of charge.

While Micron Commercial Products Group believes in the objectives and aims of waste electronic legislation, there are some practicalities that prevent our company from fulfilling the same obligations in every country. For instance, in some countries we are unable to register and join a producer responsibility scheme due to the way in which a particular country has enacted their own WEEE legislation. In these situations Micron Commercial Products Group is continuing to monitor and work with the regulatory authorities in these countries to ensure that our products are properly recycled and disposed. If your country is listed below, please note that you can, and should, still recycle your products by going to your local container park or collection point. You may also return your product free of charge to any retailer that sells memory products when you purchase your new equipment.

Micron Commercial Products Group products are not available via website sales in the following countries. Please go to your local electronics shop in order to purchase our products.