The EU Directives on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment and on the Restriction of Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment: Adoption Achieved

Abstract

This article reports on the two directives that were adopted by the Council and the European Parliament on 27 January 2003 concerning waste electrical and electronic equipment and restriction of use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. It is divided into three main parts. The first two parts provide an overview of the principal provisions of the directives agreed, seeking to point out key changes that have transpired during the EU legislative process. The last section seeks to explore how the directives relate to and have an impact on two broader issues that are of major concern for the future development of EU waste management policy: the recovery/disposal status of municipal solid waste incineration involving elements of energy recuperation and 'standard dumping'.