International Review of Waste Management Policy - Department of ...

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• Approved producer compliance scheme.
� Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government:
• Issues/amends the WEEE Regulations;
• Provides guidance on the WEEE Regulations;
• Represents Ireland at European Commission meetings (Technical
Adaptation Committee).
� Recovery Operators:
• Possess relevant permits/ licences/ Certificates of Registration where
necessary;
• Storage and/or treatment of WEEE as required under Sixth and
Seventh Schedules of WEEE Regulations;
• Recovery and recycling of WEEE in line with 2008 recovery targets;
• Recording and maintaining accurate records for WEEE.
19.5 Monitoring and Measurement Techniques Applied
Since the WEEE Regulations came into force on 13th August 2005, EPA inspectors
and contractors have been undertaking random, unannounced inspections of
retailers of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). 409 Significant efforts are being
made also to identify any unregistered, potentially obligated producers or “freeriders”.
Producers/distributors who supply EEE by means of distance communication
(web-sites, mail order catalogues, telesales etc.) are also covered under the WEEE
Regulations, and inspections of such operations are ongoing. All complaints received,
from whatever source, are acted on as part of the surveillance effort.
The following programme of inspection has been and continues to be undertaken:
� Retailers: Retailers: Inspectors have now completed three campaigns of nationwide
retailer inspections on the EPA’s behalf. These campaigns were carried out in
May-June 2006, November- February 2007 and February-March 2008. EPA
inspectors also carry out routine/non-routine inspections where necessary. To
date, approximately 700 impromptu retailer inspections have been completed;
� Distance Distance sellers: sellers: Inspections of distance sellers (web-sites, mail order
catalogues) were made a priority due to concerns of non-compliance in this
sector. A second round of distance seller inspections was completed in
October 2007. Approximately 170 such inspections have been completed to
date and non-compliances followed up with the relevant companies;
WEEE Ireland can organise for the treatment and recycling of waste electrical and electronic
equipment and batteries and accumulators from authorised collection points, on behalf of its Producer
members.
409 EPA (2007) EPA Enforcement of WEEE Regulations, http://www.epa.ie
International Review of Waste Policy: Annexes