BRC: Response to WEEE delay

Thursday, 15, Dec 2005 12:00

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) and leading producer responsibility scheme Valpak, who will be operating the WEEE Retail Compliance Scheme, have reacted to the DTI announcement that the proposed Regulations implementing the Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) Directive will be postponed further.

BRC, Director of CSR, Nigel Smith said: ”It is unfortunate that this announcement has come so late in the process, but we understand the reasons and timing difficulties the Government was facing. We will continue to work constructively with both Government and Local Authorities in order to meet the revised deadlines as effectively as possible.”

Valpak CEO Steve Gough said: “On the positive side we have already got backing for the Retail Compliance Scheme from a significant number of leading retailers and industry is keen to make progress. Assuming that there is not a complete change in the approach, the delay will give us more time to work with Local Authorities in preparing to establish an adequate network of collection facilities. We want to be ready to roll that out as soon as the relevant legislative issues are resolved.

“We understand that the delay will lead to difficulties, particularly for Local Authorities, but we hope that we can continue to work with them to minimise the impact. We have already submitted an operational plan for the Retail Compliance scheme to the DTI, pending final legislation and are planning to run trials next year to demonstrate how WEEE collections can operate effectively.”