What is electronic waste, and what does WEEE stand for?

Electrical and electronic equipment that has become waste is referred to as ‘electrical waste’. This includes equipment powered by electricity, batteries or rechargeable batteries, as well as equipment used to generate, transmit or measure electric currents or electromagnetic fields. Common terms include electrical waste, waste electrical and electronic equipment, or WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment).

Rules for the management of waste electrical and electronic equipment in businesses

Waste electrical and electronic equipment can be generated in almost every business. The applicable waste management regulations must be observed to ensure these items are handled correctly. Waste electrical and electronic equipment must always be collected separately from other types of waste and, in particular, must not be mixed with mixed waste. Companies must hand it over to an authorised waste collector or waste treatment operator, or to a designated collection point.

For larger quantities, it may be advisable to arrange for collection directly from the warehouse or company premises. This service is usually provided by authorised waste management companies.

Waste electrical and electronic equipment should not be stored on the premises for longer than is necessary. Some equipment may contain hazardous components and, if stored incorrectly, may pose a risk to people and the environment. Therefore, the equipment must be kept separate and stored under suitable conditions until it is collected. Depending on the type, quantity and hazardous nature of the waste, additional requirements under waste legislation may apply.

Improper storage, a failure to segregate waste, or mixing it with other types of waste may constitute a breach of waste management regulations and result in administrative penalties.

Classification and examples of waste electrical and electronic equipment

For businesses that generate waste electrical and electronic equipment, or that are involved in its collection and treatment, the classification into the six categories of equipment set out in the Austrian Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Ordinance (EAG-VO) is relevant. Electrical and electronic equipment is classified into the following categories:

  1. Heat exchanger, such as fridges and freezers, air-conditioning units and heat pumps
  2. Display devices, including devices with screens having a surface area of more than 100 cm², such as monitors, televisions, laptops and tablets
  3. Lamps, such as fluorescent lamps and LED lamps
  4. Large appliances, where at least one external dimension exceeds 50 cm, for example washing machines, dishwashers and electric cookers
  5. Small appliances, where no external dimension exceeds 50 cm, for example, vacuum cleaners, toasters and power tools
  6. Small IT and telecommunications devices, where no external dimension exceeds 50 cm, for example mobile phones, routers and GPS devices

In Austria, photovoltaic modules generally fall within the scope of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulation; however, they do not constitute a separate category within the six-category system under EU law. Their specific classification must therefore be examined on a case-by-case basis.

This classification takes into account, amongst other things, the design and the properties of the equipment relevant to collection, treatment and recovery. It facilitates proper treatment and ensures that waste electrical and electronic equipment containing hazardous components or requiring special treatment is correctly recorded and recovered.

Recovery, preparation for reuse and recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment – manufacturers’ obligations

The legal obligations of manufacturers and importers are based on the principle of extended producer responsibility. They relate both to the placing on the market of electrical and electronic equipment and to the collection and treatment of the resulting waste electrical and electronic equipment.

Statutory collection, recovery and recycling targets apply to waste electrical and electronic equipment. The The minimum annual collection rate is, as a general rule, 65 % of the average weight electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market in the previous three years, or alternatively, 85 % of the weight of waste electrical and electronic equipment generated in the same year. This figure should be understood as a national collection rate and not necessarily as an individual rate for each manufacturer.

The following minimum targets generally apply to the individual categories of equipment:

  1. Heat exchangers and large-scale equipment

    • Recovery rate: 85 per cent by weight
    • Preparation for reuse and recycling: 80 per cent by weight

  2. Screens, monitors and devices with screens having a surface area of more than 100 cm²

    • Recovery rate: 80 per cent by weight
    • Preparation for reuse and recycling: 70 per cent by weight

  3. Small appliances and small IT and telecommunications equipment

    • Recovery: 75 per cent by weight
    • Preparation for reuse and recycling: 55 per cent by weight

  4. Lamps

    • Recycling: 80 per cent by weight

The rates generally relate to the weight of separately collected waste electrical and electronic equipment that is sent to a treatment facility.

Manufacturers and importers in Austria usually fulfil their obligations by participating in an authorised collection and recovery scheme in accordance with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulation (EAG-VO). Depending on the type of equipment and whether it is intended for private households or commercial users, different requirements may apply.

Further obligations of manufacturers and importers

These may include, in particular:

  • Registration in the EDM Register before electrical and electronic equipment is placed on the market,
  • regular report the volume of appliances placed on the market in Austria,
  • Funding and organisation the collection and treatment of waste electrical and electronic equipment,
  • Labelling of equipment in accordance with the statutory requirements,
  • Provision of information for end users and for treatment plants,
  • Maintenance and retention of the necessary records and supporting documents,
  • in the case of foreign distance sellers, where applicable, the Appointment of an authorised representative in Austria.

Failure to fulfil these obligations may result in administrative consequences. Where permitted by law, these obligations may be met either by carrying out the tasks oneself or by participating in an approved collection and recovery scheme. However, this does not entirely absolve the obligated party of their legal responsibility.

Disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment and digital collection management with Interzero WMP

Organising the collection and disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment can involve a considerable amount of time and administrative effort for businesses. With Interzero WMP, waste logistics and waste electrical and electronic equipment management processes can be digitally controlled and optimised.

The Interzero Waste Management Platform (WMP) is a digital solution for comprehensive waste management within your organisation. Among other things, it offers:

  • a simple registration and login process,
  • the automatic collection and structured management of relevant data,
  • the ability to schedule collections of waste electrical and electronic equipment and arrange transport with just a few clicks,
  • the up-to-date overview of costs and revenues relating to waste electrical and electronic equipment and other types of waste,
  • location-independent access to company and waste management data, without the need to install any additional software.

Depending on your organisation’s requirements, Interzero WMP offers additional features that simplify the recording, management and logistical handling of waste streams. You can try out the platform as part of a free trial lasting up to three months. Interzero experts will guide you through the process and support you in implementing the WMP within your organisation.

Interzero Waste Management Platform