Report on the re-examination of the WEEE recovery targets, on the possible setting of separate targets for WEEE to be prepared for re-use and on the method for the calculation of the recovery targets set out in Article 11(6) of Directive 2012/19/EU

Directive 2012/19/EU on waste electrical and electronic equipment (the WEEE Directive), which is a recast of the earlier Directive 2002/96/EC, entered into force on August 2012 and had to be transposed by Member States by 14 February 2014.

The WEEE Directive lays down rules on the management of WEEE with a view to contributing to sustainable production and consumption by, as a first priority, the prevention of WEEE and, in addition, by the re-use, recycling and other forms of recovery of such waste so as to reduce the disposal of waste and to contribute to the efficient use of resources and the retrieval of valuable secondary raw materials.

In this context, the WEEE Directive introduces in Article 11 and Annex V combined preparing for re-use and recycling targets as well as recovery targets for WEEE and sets out in Article 11(2) the methodology for the calculation of these targets.

This report answers to the following requirements for the Commission set out in article 11(6) of the WEEE Directive:
1. Re-examine the recovery targets referred to in its Annex V, Part 3;
2. Examine the possibility of setting separate targets for WEEE to be prepared for re-use;
3. Re-examine the method for the calculation of the achievement of the recovery targets referred to in Article 11(2) with a view to analysing the feasibility of setting targets on the basis of products and materials resulting (output) from the recovery, recycling and preparation for re-use processes.

The purpose of this report is to inform the European Parliament and the Council of the Commission's assessment and conclusions related to these issues.

To prepare the present report, the Commission contracted independent consultants to review relevant statistical data, literature and technical information and held consultations with major stakeholders (Member States, industry associations, extended producer responsibility (EPR) compliance systems, NGOs and independent experts).