Have you ever stopped to think about what happens to that old monitor, that printer that no longer works or that industrial engine that has reached the end of its useful life? In a world where electrical and electronic devices are everywhere, the waste they generate has become a huge challenge… and also an opportunity. That’s where the WEEE Regulation comes into play, or in other words, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE).
Managing them well is not only a legal obligation, but also a way to take care of the planet and, incidentally, give a boost to the sustainability of your company.
If you have already heard about RoHS (that regulation that limits hazardous substances in equipment), think of WEEE as its inseparable companion: while RoHS ensures that products are safer from the moment they are manufactured, WEEE ensures that they are disposed of responsibly.
Did you know that recycling electronic equipment not only helps you comply with the law, but can be a competitive advantage for your business?
🚀 In this guide we tell you everything you need to know about WEEE, from what it is to how to apply it in your daily work, so that your company is not only up to date, but also leads the change towards a greener future.
What is WEEE and why is it important?
Imagine for a moment all the electrical and electronic devices we use on a daily basis: from the office refrigerator to your company’s servers or that LED lamp you just replaced. When these devices stop working, it’s not enough to just throw them in the trash and forget about them. That’s where WEEE ( Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment ) comes in.
In simple terms, it refers to any equipment that runs on electricity or batteries and has reached the end of its useful life. But it’s not just a label: it’s a way to manage that waste so that it doesn’t end up being a problem for the environment or your business.
The WEEE regulation, based on the European Union Directive 2012/19/EU, organizes how we should collect, recycle and dispose of these devices. The goal? To reduce the environmental impact and make the most of the materials they contain.
Because, let’s face it, it’s no small thing: in 2022, the world generated more than 62 million tons of e-waste, according to the Global E-waste Monitor. And the figure is growing all the time. For companies in the electrical and electronics sector, this is not just a curious fact, but a warning. WEEE compliance not only saves you legal headaches, but also positions you as a responsible player in a market that increasingly values sustainability.
Why is the WEEE regulation so important?
First, because e-waste may contain hazardous substances such as lead or mercury, which no one wants to see loose in nature.
Second, because recycling them well allows the recovery of valuable materials such as copper, gold or aluminum, something that benefits both the planet and the circular economy.
And third, because for companies – be they manufacturers, distributors or importers – adapting to WEEE is an obligation that comes with advantages: less risk of penalties, a greener image and the possibility of standing out from the competition.
In short, WEEE is not just a standard; it is a tool for building a cleaner, more cost-effective future.
📍 Across Logistics can help you manage WEEE and RoHS smoothly, from customs to recycling.
What does WEEE mean? Definition and scope
As mentioned above, WEEE is the acronym for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, and covers any device that runs on electricity or batteries and is no longer useful.
We are talking about a European regulation, namely Directive 2012/19/EU, which puts in order how to manage this waste from the time it is discarded until it is recycled or disposed of safely. But don’t just stick to the theory: this applies to things as common as an old microwave, an obsolete laptop or even that solar panel that stopped working in your production plant.
The scope of WEEE is broad and well organized. The regulation divides this waste into 10 main categories, ranging from large household appliances (such as washing machines or air conditioners) to computer equipment (servers, routers) or small devices such as headphones and chargers.
Do you have a company that manufactures electric motors or imports LED lighting? Those also make the list.
In short, we are talking about any appliance with a plug, a battery or a cable that, at the end of its useful life, needs special treatment. And be careful, because it is not just a matter of throwing them in a container: WEEE requires that they are collected, sorted and recycled correctly.
📍Need support with these guidelines? At Across Logistics we make it easy for you to get everything in order.
Products that fall under WEEE: classification and examples 📋
If you’re wondering which appliances fall under the WEEE umbrella, the answer is simple: almost anything you plug in or has batteries in it. But this is not a random list; European legislation (Directive 2012/19/EU) organizes WEEE into 10 well-defined categories, designed to cover everything from household junk to industrial equipment used by businesses.
If you manufacture, distribute or import something with a cable or battery, it is certainly here. Let’s see it in detail and some examples to give you a clear idea.
These are the top 10 WEEE categories, in effect until 2018, when they were simplified a bit (more on this later):
🧼 Large household appliances: washing machines, refrigerators, air conditioners. If you have a warehouse full of these, they are WEEE when they break down.
☕ Small appliances: Toasters, vacuum cleaners, irons. Things you use every day that end up in the special container.
💻 Computer and telecommunications equipment: Computers, servers, cell phones. Those old office laptops are a classic.
📺 Consumer electronics: TVs, radios, cameras. Everything that entertains also has its purpose.
💡 Lighting fixtures: LED lamps, fluorescent lamps (note that incandescent bulbs do not count).
🔧 Electric and electronic tools: drills, electric saws, small motors. If you use it in workshop or factory, here it comes in.
🎮 Toys and sports equipment: video game consoles, electric treadmills. Fun that is also recycled.
🩺 Medical devices: Pressure monitors, diagnostic equipment (home use also counts).
🚨 Monitoring and control instruments: smoke detectors, thermostats. Security that ends its cycle.
🏧 Vending machines: ATMs, coffee machines. Even what you get in your coffee is WEEE.
Since August 2018, the EU simplified this into 6 broader groups for ease of management:
- large teams
- small teams
- computer equipment
- lamps
- equipment with screens
- small devices of less than 25 cm.
But the original categories are still a useful reference for understanding what goes in. For example, if your company imports solar panels, they fit into “large equipment”; if you distribute headphones, they are “small devices.” Anything with electrical or electronic components is inside, with exceptions such as incandescent light bulbs or military-specific equipment.
Why does it matter to know this? Because each category may have different requirements: a refrigerator with refrigerant gases is not recycled in the same way as a cell phone with a lithium battery. For companies in the electrical and electronics sector, knowing this classification helps you to plan logistics, comply with WEEE and avoid penalties.
So, the next time you look at that pile of cables or machines in your warehouse, you know: they’re not just junk, they’re WEEE with a clear destination.
📍 If you’re struggling with so many regulations, Across Logistics can help make WEEE compliance easy.
WEEE management process: step by step
Managing Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) may sound like a bureaucratic mess, but it’s actually a pretty logical process if you break it down into steps.
If your company manufactures, distributes or uses electrical equipment, knowing how to handle this waste not only keeps you within the law, but helps you make the most of something that would otherwise just be a nuisance. Ready to see it in action? Here’s how it works, step-by-step, in a practical, no-nonsense way.
1 Collection: the first movement.
It all starts with collecting devices that are no longer useful. If you are a manufacturer or distributor, this may involve offering return points for your customers; think about in-store garbage cans or agreements with logistics services.
For companies that use equipment (such as a factory with old machinery), it is a matter of coordinating with an authorized manager to take away that obsolete server or broken printer.
The trick is not to let them pile up in a corner: good logistics saves time and trouble.
2 Classification: separating the useful from the dangerous.
Once collected, WEEE does not all go to the same place. They must be classified according to their type and risk level.
For example, a refrigerator with refrigerant gases needs special treatment, while an old keyboard can go straight to the cutting plant.
This stage is key because it ensures that hazardous materials, such as batteries or mercury containing components, are handled with care and do not end up contaminating.
3 Recycling and reuse: getting the most out of them.
Here comes the interesting part: many WEEE are full of hidden “treasures”. Metals such as copper, aluminum or even small amounts of gold can be recovered and reused.
Specialized companies use technologies such as shredders and magnetic separators to extract these materials.
Case in point: plastic can be salvaged from an old computer for new products and metals for cables. This not only reduces waste, but fuels the circular economy.
4 Safe disposal: what cannot be salvaged.
Not everything is recycled, and that’s okay. Components that do not have a second life – such as certain mixed plastics or toxic substances – are disposed of in a controlled manner in authorized facilities.
The goal is that nothing escapes to the environment, and for that WEEE managers are your best allies.
Connection between WEEE and RoHS: a holistic approach
If you already know what WEEE is, you may be wondering how it fits in with RoHS, that other regulation that sounds “similar” but is not the same. Don’t worry, it’s not a bureaucratic tongue twister: WEEE and RoHS are like two pieces of a puzzle working together to make the electrical and electronics sector more sustainable.
If your company manufactures, imports or distributes equipment, understanding this connection will help you see everything more clearly and, in the process, take advantage of it.
Let’s start with the differences;
RoHS, which stands for Restriction of Hazardous Substances, gets into the kitchen of products: it regulates what materials you can use when you manufacture equipment. Its mission is to ensure that there are no substances such as lead, mercury or cadmium circulating in the devices that reach the market.
WEEE, on the other hand, comes into play when those same devices say goodbye: it ensures that they are collected, recycled or disposed of without harming the environment. In other words, RoHS takes care of the birth of a product and WEEE takes care of its farewell.
But here’s the interesting thing: they are not worlds apart. Imagine a cell phone charger that is RoHS compliant because it has no toxic materials. When it breaks down and you throw it away, it becomes a WEEE and follows a recycling process to take advantage of its parts. This link is key for companies in the sector.
Complying with RoHS from design makes your products easier to manage as WEEE at the end of their useful life, because they already have fewer problematic substances to deal with. It’s like paving the way for everything to flow more smoothly afterwards.
For those responsible for sustainability or compliance, aligning these two regulations is a winning approach. On the one hand, you reduce legal risks and ensure that your equipment is not only manufactured well, but also finishes well. On the other, you reinforce your commitment to the circular economy: less hazardous waste and more reused materials.
If you manufacture or import electronic equipment, think of WEEE and RoHS as a tandem that helps you close the life cycle of your products in a responsible way. Doesn’t that seem like an elegant way to bring sustainability and business together?
New controls and updates in 2023-2025
If you thought WEEE regulations were static, get ready, because the landscape is moving. As of January 16, 2023, with the entry into force of Royal Decree 993/2022, companies in the electrical and electronics sector – especially those that import – have new controls to comply with. The reason? The European Union wants to ensure that electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), batteries and accumulators entering from third countries are not only safe, but also well managed at the end of their useful life. If your business is in this arena, this is right up your alley, so let’s break it down.
The changes began with stricter customs inspections, led by the Inspection Service SOIVRE along with Customs. Now, if you import something like a charger or a household appliance, you have to prove two things: that it complies with RoHS hazardous substance restrictions (no lead or mercury above the limits) and that it is ready to be recycled under WEEE. This involves submitting documentation such as certificates of conformity or test reports, and being registered in the Integrated Industrial Register (IIR). Without those papers in order, your goods stay at the border, and nobody wants that.
But it’s not all more manual work. Since the end of 2022, the system has been getting smarter with tools like ESTACICE, which now cross-checks data with the RII to verify that you are up to date, and DOCUCICE, a voluntary repository where you can upload the technical documentation of your products and save repeating the process at each import.
There is also the Single Point of Entry (PUE), a one-stop shop that has been operational since December 2022 for testing and streamlines procedures with the Tax Agency.
By 2025, these requirements are expected to continue to rise, with more ambitious collection and recycling targets that will put more pressure on manufacturers and importers.
A practical tip: review your import processes now and make sure your suppliers give you the right documentation. If you do it right, you avoid delays at customs and position yourself as a company that is ahead in sustainability 🌱.
Do you need support with these guidelines? At Across Logistics, we make it easy for you to get everything in order. .
Across Logistics and WEEE and RoHS compliance: your customs ally
When it comes to importing or exporting electrical and electronic equipment, complying with regulations such as WEEE and RoHS is not only a matter of sustainability, but also of avoiding customs hassles.
At Across Logistics we know what that means for your business, and that’s why we’re here to help you navigate these regulations without headaches. With our expertise in end-to-end logistics solutions – from customs clearance to document management – we make sure your products reach their destination without delays or surprises.
Like specialized customs agents we offer you everything you need: tariff classification, preparation of documentation and advice on international regulations. This is key for WEEE and RoHS, especially since 2023, when EU border controls have been tightened.
For companies in the electrical and electronics sector, counting on us means less stress and more control. We don’t just move your products; we make them meet the sustainability and traceability requirements that the market needs.
Ready to import or export without complications? With Across Logistics, WEEE and RoHS are no longer a headache but a competitive advantage
