Mission is urging Slovakia to adopt measures to implement EU standards on waste of electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). The existing Slovakian legislation contains a number of shortcomings, especially as regards facilities for collecting such waste. On the recommendation of Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik, the Commission is now sending a reasoned opinion. Slovakia has two months to comply. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may refer the case to the European Court of Justice.

The Commission is asking Slovakia to improve its implementation of Directive 2002/96/EC, which establishes a framework for Community action in the field of electrical and electronic equipment waste. The current legislation contains a number of shortcomings, especially as regards collection facilities for electronic waste and mobile phone circuit boards.

In 2008, the Commission notified Slovakia that its national legislation was not entirely in line with the Directive. Slovakia subsequently amended parts of its legislation, but as a number of shortcomings remain, the Commission is sending a reasoned opinion. Slovakia has two months to comply with EU legislation.

Under the WEEE Directive, Member States are to encourage the design and production of electrical and electronic equipment that facilitates the dismantling, recovery, re-use and recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment. The aim is to minimise the disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) as unsorted municipal waste by setting up separate collection systems.

Producers must make provision for the collection of waste that is not from private households. Member States must ensure that all waste electrical and electronic equipment collected is transported to authorised treatment facilities.

Background:

EU legislation promoting the collection and recycling of electrical and electronic equipment (Directive 2002/96/EC) has been in force since February 2003. The legislation provides for the creation of collection schemes where consumers return their used e-waste free of charge. The objective of these schemes is to increase the recycling and/or re-use of such products.