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EU to introduce tough new laws on electronic waste

Governments must collect 85 per cent of e-waste and producers must foot the bill

The European Parliament met on Thursday to vote on the implementation of stricter rules for discarding electronic waste.

German MEP Karl-Heinz Florenz steered the legislation, which saw 580 votes to 37 agreeing that tougher guidelines are required.

The new rules will require member states to collect a minimum of 85 per cent of discarded electronics by 2016, which compares with only 33 per cent being collected today. Electronic producers will be expected to pay for this collection.

"We can no longer afford to waste our waste," said Florenz.

"Parliament has sent a strong message that public authorities, manufacturers and consumers all need to play their part to ensure we collect and recycle more of our electrical and electronic goods," he added.

Further to this, Parliament addressed the issue of large volumes of e-waste being falsely declared as ‘reusable' and illegally exported to developing countries, where they are often processed in unsafe conditions and by children.

To ensure these shipments are reduced, there are proposals for stricter inspections of deployments, as well as ensuring the exporter should carry the burden of proof that the goods are actually reusable.

These proposals still have to considered by the European Council and are set to be debated in March.

EU to introduce tough new laws on electronic waste

Governments must collect 85 per cent of e-waste and producers must foot the bill

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