Micromech’s Policy for the WEEE Directive
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive 2012/19/EU aims to reduce the environmental impact of electrical and electronic goods. It focuses on increasing re-use and recycling while cutting down the amount of WEEE sent to landfill. To meet these goals, the directive places the responsibility for collecting, treating, and recovering waste equipment on producers. It also requires distributors to let consumers return their waste equipment free of charge.
Micromech designs, produces, and supplies a wide range of electrical, electromechanical, and electronic sub-assemblies, assemblies, and end-user equipment. Our customers or other parties in the supply chain often integrate these components into their own end-user equipment. In some cases, Micromech supplies products classified as end-user equipment, such as rack mount systems, compact enclosure systems, or complete control systems. We have assessed these products using the WEEE Directive’s decision tree.
Customers typically use Micromech equipment in the following ways:
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As part of a fixed installation – The European Commission’s FAQ defines this as a combination of equipment, systems, finished products, and/or components assembled or installed at a specific location. These systems work together in a particular environment to perform a specific task. They are not intended to be sold as a single functional or commercial unit.
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In stationary industrial, research, development, or scientific applications – The European Commission’s FAQ excludes this category from product category 6 (electrical and electronic tools). It defines this use case as a system made up of equipment or products, designed for industrial use, permanently installed by professionals at a fixed location in an industrial machine or building to carry out a defined task.
Because customers typically use Micromech products in these contexts, the WEEE Directive does not apply. However, we support our customers by accepting returns of Micromech equipment. We handle the returned products through an approved recycling agent and may charge a fee for this service.
WEEE Decision Tree
The UK Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) helped develop and implement the WEEE Directive. Their website provides non-statutory guidance for interpreting the directive. The following decision tree, taken from that guidance, helps determine whether a product falls under the scope of the WEEE Directive.
