First Report - Electronic Waste and the Circular Economy

The government acknowledges the committee's point regarding short-term targets and their impact on long-term planning for WEEE collection. They commit to exploring this issue in depth during a review of current regulations and will seek views and evidence as part of a consultation later this year.

The government acknowledges the committee's recommendation for long-term targets and the case for certainty for businesses and investors. However, they will explore this issue in more depth and seek views as part of a review of current regulations and a consultation later this year.

The government thanks the Committee for highlighting the need for enhanced retailer obligations and parity between online and physical sellers. They confirm this is a key area for reform and will consult on proposals as part of the review of WEEE Regulations, drawing on principles from extended producer responsibility for packaging.

The government acknowledges the need for parity in obligations for online sellers and marketplaces, stating that ongoing work for Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging will inform the review of WEEE Regulations, on which they will consult.

The government acknowledges the need to enhance retailer obligations and ensure parity for online sellers, highlighting this as a key area for reform; they will consult on proposals for these changes as part of the WEEE Regulations review.

The government recognises the importance of robust collection infrastructure, including kerbside collections, and is exploring options for rolling these out. They will consult on these proposals as part of the WEEE Regulations review.

The government agrees on the importance of robust collection infrastructure and is exploring options for kerbside collections and enhanced retailer obligations. They will consult on these options as part of a review of WEEE Regulations later this year.

The government acknowledges the recommendation to enhance retailer obligations and ensure parity for online sellers, stating these principles will form an important part of the upcoming review of WEEE Regulations and will be subject to consultation.

The government acknowledges the need for parity in obligations for online sellers and marketplaces, stating that ongoing work for Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging will inform the review of WEEE Regulations, on which they will consult.

The government agrees on the importance of Ecodesign and consumer information to combat planned obsolescence. They refer to past consultations on Ecodesign Regulations and state they will explore applying eco-modulation principles within the WEEE system review to incentivise better Ecodesign.

The government recognizes the importance of reuse and commits to exploring the feasibility of measures, including reuse targets and modulated financial obligations under the WEEE Regulations, and will consult on policy proposals to this effect.

The government committed in its Resources and Waste Strategy to explore measures for increased reuse in its WEEE Regulations review. It is discussing with stakeholders and will fully explore the role of reuse targets, modulating financial obligations, and other policy proposals, which will be part of a consultation.

The government recognizes the importance of encouraging reuse and commits to fully exploring the potential role of reuse targets, including how they should be defined and monitored, as part of its review of the WEEE Regulations, and will consult on policy proposals.

The government recognises the importance of reuse and committed to exploring the feasibility of measures to encourage it within the WEEE Regulations review. They will fully explore the potential role of reuse targets and consult on policy proposals.

The government commits to exploring the application of eco-modulation within the WEEE system to incentivize manufacturers to design more sustainable, durable, repairable, and recyclable electrical products, and will consult on its practical introduction as part of the WEEE Regulations review.

The government recognizes the value of a National Materials Datahub but states the project is currently on hold. Discussions are underway to establish future demand and funding options, indicating a deferral of the recommendation to fast-track its implementation by 2023.

The government states that a shift to higher-quality recycling would require more challenging targets. They note that existing Best Available Treatment (BAT) and Best Available Treatment Recovery and Recycling Techniques (BATRRT) standards are being reviewed, with new enhanced guidance planned for consultation in early 2021.

The government notes concerns about the short-term nature of the WEEE system and will explore and consult on a longer-term approach to promote certainty and investment in higher quality recycling methods as part of its WEEE Regulations review.

The government will explore whether a longer-term approach to the WEEE system's annual target setting would provide more certainty and investment, and will consult on such an approach as part of the WEEE Regulations review, rather than immediately mandating longer-term contracts.

The government acknowledges the importance of stimulating recycled material use and is considering a range of policy options, including eco-modulation, through ongoing evidence gathering and a review of the WEEE Regulations.