--- title: “I do like to be beside the WEEE-side…” description: “I do like to be beside the WEEE-side…” image: https://go.adherent.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/PCB_on_Clare_beech-181x300.png --- [![](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/wp-content/themes/compliancerisk/inc/img/general/compliancelogo.svg)](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/) - Products Products - - [C2P](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/c2p-compliance-knowledge-management-platform/) - [Regulations Management](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/conquering-the-regulatory-avalanche/) - [Standards Management](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/standards/) - [Requirements Management](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/heres-the-regulation-whats-next/) - [Regulatory Topics](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/regulated-areas/) - [WFSGI Compliant Labelling Requirements Database](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/WFSGI/) - Services Services - [Market Access Service](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/grow-in-new-markets/) - [Regulatory Process Consulting](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/best-practices-in-compliance-processes/) - [Environmental, Health & Safety (EH&S)](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/ehs-and-your-legal-registers/) - [Managed Services](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/solutions-for-every-day/) - [Training and Systems Implementation](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/training-and-systems-implementation/) - [Ask Our Experts](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/your-compliance-question) - Resources News & Resources - [Blog](https://blog.complianceandrisks.com/news-resources?__hstc=67571022.c37393069837d66fdddfdab74b5ad3c6.1593078357468.1593078357468.1593078357468.1&__hssc=67571022.1.1593078357469&__hsfp=693435645) - [Commentary & Analysis](https://blog.complianceandrisks.com/commentary-analysis?__hstc=67571022.c37393069837d66fdddfdab74b5ad3c6.1593078357468.1593078357468.1593078357468.1&__hssc=67571022.1.1593078357469&__hsfp=693435645) - [COVID-19](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/covid-19/) - [Webinars](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/webinars/) - [White Papers & eBooks](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/whitepapers/) - [About](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/about/) Compliance & Risks - [About Us](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/about/) - [Industries](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/compliance-requirements-industries/) - [History](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/compliance-and-risks-history/) - [Careers](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/compliance-risks-careers/) - [Knowledge Partners](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/knowledge-partners/) - [Partners & Affiliates](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/becoming-a-compliance-risks-partner/) - [Get in touch](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/contact/) COVID-19 Regulatory Developments [Find Out More](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/covid-19/) - [Book a demo](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/book-a-demo/) - [Eng](https://complianceandrisks.com) - [日本語](http://complianceandrisks.jp/) ![](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/wp-content/themes/compliancerisk/inc/img/general/burger.svg) Search for: # “I do like to be beside the WEEE-side…” --- ##### 07 August 2015 [![eWaste washing up on Clare Beach](https://go.adherent.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/PCB_on_Clare_beech-181x300.png?width=181&height=300&name=PCB_on_Clare_beech-181x300.png)](https://go.adherent.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/PCB_on_Clare_beech.png)From INTERPOL to the west coast of County Clare in Ireland, e-waste is making the headlines. This PCB adorned with shellfish, lying on the seashore reminded me of how prevalent e-waste or WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) is and how important it is to ensure it is properly managed. As I looked at this one piece, so out of place in this beautiful area, I imagined how it must feel to those who live with the toxic effects of WEEE on a daily basis. Compliance & Risks has been involved in the EU Commission funded [CWIT (Countering WEEE Illegal Trade) Project](http://www.cwitproject.eu/)for the past two years. Together with [INTERPOL](http://www.interpol.int/), UN agencies: [UNU](http://unu.edu/) and [UNICRI](http://www.unicri.it/), [WEEE Forum](http://www.weee-forum.org/), [Cross Border Research Association](http://www.cross-border.org/) and [Zanasi & Partners](http://www.zanasi-alessandro.eu/), we have been working to provide the European Commission with a set of recommendations to support the European Commission, law enforcement authorities and customs organizations in countering the illegal trade of WEEE in and from Europe. The project has been an interesting journey, as the issue of e-waste or WEEE is far more complicated than it seems. ### **“Is this WEEE I see before me?”** Firstly, the distinction between e-waste or WEEE is a thorny issue in itself. Rather than being a mere academic distinction, this classification affects the legal interpretation of the product and/or its components at its end of life, transport, treatment, and subsequent reporting to authorities. The legal framework primarily consists of the EU’s [WEEE Directive](http://www.complianceandrisks.com/regulations/eu-waste-electrical-and-electronic-equipment-weee-directive-2012-19-eu-4745/) and [Waste Shipment Regulation](http://www.complianceandrisks.com/regulations/eu-waste-shipments-regulation-ec-1013-2006-2444/) and at an international level, the [UN Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes](http://www.complianceandrisks.com/regulations/un-basel-convention-on-hazardous-waste-movement-1989-1617/) and the [OECD’s Decision concerning the Control of Transboundary Movements of Wastes Destined for Recovery Operations](http://www.complianceandrisks.com/regulations/oecd-council-decision-2001-1618/). ### **“One man’s rubbish is another man’s treasure”** This old adage certainly rings true for e-waste. There is a huge amount of value in old electronics hence the attraction for criminal activities in stealing e-waste from official collection points. It’s not quite in the form of liquid gold, but e-waste contains critical raw materials and precious metals such as copper, tantalum, and platinum. Unfortunately, e-waste also contains highly toxic hazardous substances such as mercury, lead, cadmium and hexavalent chromium. The EU introduced its first Restriction on Hazardous Substances Directive [(RoHS)](http://www.complianceandrisks.com/tag/rohs/) in 2002, limiting the amounts of these hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. However, many of the electronics finding their way out of the legal treatment of WEEE may still contain dangerous levels of hazardous substances. Refrigeration equipment in particular may also contain Ozone Depleting Substances and equipment with plastic parts may contain highly toxic brominated flame retardants. Inappropriate waste handling creates significant local health issues and environmental pollution outside of Europe. ### **“Show me the money!”** Collection, treatment and trading of waste electrical equipment is potentially very profitable where compliance standards are low. This illegal behavior and the distortion it causes to compliant companies in the WEEE industry is an important part of the CWIT project’s research. Quantification of the illegal flows of WEEE from the officially reported figures and the associated economic impact highlights the need for effective measures to counteract criminal behavior in this area. The project is nearing its conclusion and we are now finalizing the research and recommendations. Stay tuned to Compliance & Risks’ blog for more updates on the analysis and findings of the CWIT project. ### Written by [Mary Liddane](https://go.adherent.com/commentary-analysis-old/author/mary-liddane) - - - - ## Featured Posts --- ![Stacey Bowers to Present at ICPHSO 2022 Annual Meeting & Training Symposium](https://go.adherent.com/hubfs/icphso%202022%20(1).png) [Stacey Bowers to Present at ICPHSO 2022 Annual Meeting & Training Symposium](https://go.adherent.com/news-resources/stacey-bowers-to-present-at-icphso-2022-annual-meeting-training-symposium) 26 January 2022 ![Regulating Explosive Atmospheres in the Workplace](https://go.adherent.com/hubfs/Regulating%20Explosive%20Atmospheres%20in%20the%20Workplace.png) [Regulating Explosive Atmospheres in the Workplace](https://go.adherent.com/news-resources/regulating-explosive-atmospheres-in-the-workplace) 25 January 2022 ![What's Trending in Product Compliance?](https://go.adherent.com/hubfs/Trending%20Jan%2022.png) [What's Trending in Product Compliance?](https://go.adherent.com/news-resources/whats-trending-in-compliance-jan-22) 24 January 2022 #### Ireland Office   Unit 9 Eastgate Avenue Eastgate Business Park Little Island Cork Ireland +353 (0)21 435 1990 [info@complianceandrisks.com](mailto:info@complianceandrisks.com) #### US Offices   New York 50 Fountain Plaza Suite 1400 Buffalo NY 14202 +1 716 939 1951   California P.O.Box 309 8712 Marysville Road Oregon House, CA 95962 – 0309 +1 530 216 4455 [![Compliance Logo](https://go.adherent.com/hubfs/Compliance_and_Risks_January2018/Images/compliancelogo.svg)](http://www.complianceandrisks.com/) #### Information - [Solutions](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/c2p-platform/) - [Industries](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/industry-solutions/) - [News & Resources](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/resources/) - [About Us](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/about-us/) - [Get in touch](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/contact/) - [About Us](http://www.complianceandrisks.com/about/) - [Get in touch](http://www.complianceandrisks.com/contact/) [![Compliance Logo](https://go.adherent.com/hubfs/Compliance_and_Risks_January2018/Images/compliancelogo.svg)](http://www.complianceandrisks.com/) © 2021 Compliance and Risks Ltd. | [Privacy Policy](http://www.complianceandrisks.com/privacy-policy/)