Conference WEEE-Revision

Across the EU, the amount of electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market continues to grow. In 2023, more than 14.4 million tonnes of electronics were sold— 89% more than in 2012. This leads to rapidly increasing volumes of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). However, collection rates remain too low. Many Member States do not meet the 65% collection target required under the WEEE Directive. As a result, large amounts of electronic waste are not properly collected or treated. Instead, it is often exported illegally, handled under poor treatment conditions, or disposed of incorrectly. This leads to the loss of valuable and critical raw materials, the release of hazardous substances, and growing fire risks from lithium-ion batteries. At the same time, preparation for reuse remains very limited across the EU, even though it is prioritised over recycling under the Waste Framework Directive. The European Commission’s evaluation concluded that the current rules have not effectively promoted waste prevention or reuse. Another challenge is the fragmented implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) across Member States. Differences in national rules create enforcement gaps, particularly for online sellers and cross-border trade.

The European Commission has started a formal revision of the WEEE Directive, with a legislative proposal expected in Q3 2026. Early discussions indicate that the current Directive could be replaced by a directly applicable EU Regulation to improve harmonisation and enforcement across the EU. The revision aims to address low collection rates, insufficient recovery of critical raw materials, and inconsistent implementation of producer responsibility.

This webinar discusses how the revision of the WEEE framework can create a robust and environmentally ambitious system for the management of electronics during their lifecycle. Inputs on best practices and potential regulatory solutions will provide the basis for the subsequent political panel discussion. Current challenges and potential solutions will be discussed with policymakers, industry and NGO representatives. In particular, we would like to address the following questions: How can the WEEE Directive strengthen and harmonise producer requirements across Member States? How can the Directive more effectively promote waste prevention, repair and preparation for reuse in line with the waste hierarchy? What measures are needed to improve and standardise collection infrastructure throughout the EU? How can enforcement of WEEE obligations be strengthened to ensure full compliance across the internal market?

You are welcome to register for the webinar. Please sign up by 08. June 2026.

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