Synopsis
These regulations will amend the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2013.
A specific category of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) will be introduced for vapes and electronic cigarettes, meaning that specific collection targets may be applied.
The definition of producer will be extended to specifically include online marketplace operators, who will have duties if EEE is supplied to private households in the UK by non-UK-based suppliers.
Summary
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (Amendment, etc.) Regulations 2025 will amend the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2013 on a future date, which has yet to be confirmed.
This legislation will apply across the UK.
What will change?
New Categories of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE)
A new category of EEE will be added to the regime, covering vapes and electronic cigarettes or similar products. This makes a distinction between these devices and the existing category that was applicable (category 7: Toys and leisure equipment). Updates to Schedule 3 define these devices as follows:
As a result, specific EEE producer and WEEE management obligations will apply to vapes and electronic cigarettes. A new collection stream is established for vapes and electronic cigarettes and WEEE collection targets will concern these items, with the objective of sustainably managing these wastes.
Revised Producer Obligations
The definition of producer will be extended to include online marketplace (OMP) operators, who will have new duties if EEE is supplied to private households in the UK by non-UK-based suppliers.
As OMP operators will constitute EEE producers, OMP operators will be required to register with producer compliance schemes. OMP operators will be required to report volumes of each category of EEE placed on the market by non-UK suppliers on their marketplaces. OMP operators will then also be responsible for financing the recovery of WEEE placed on the market by non-UK suppliers.
OMP operators brought into the scheme by the amending regulations will be required to join a compliance scheme by 15 November 2025 or, if applicable, register as a small producer by 31 January 2025.
Non-UK suppliers placing EEE on the UK market via OMPs will remain outside the definition of an ‘EEE producer’ despite these changes. Non-UK suppliers using OMPs will continue to be required to comply with a limited proportion of the regulations, including marking EEE with the crossed-out wheelie bin symbol.
Background
These Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2013 apply a regime for recycling electronic waste in the UK. Producers of EEE are responsible for financing its collection, treatment, recovery and environmentally sound disposal.
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