Defra has opened a consultation into two new proposals for how to run the WEEE Producer Compliance Scheme Balancing System (PBS) in 2019, put forward by the WEEE Schemes Forum and the WEEE Allocation Scheme.
Originally set up in 2016 by 23 WEEE compliance schemes, the PBS was as a voluntary and collaborative way to deal with Regulation 34 requests from Local Authorities. A Regulation 34 request requires a producer compliance scheme to collect WEEE free-of-charge from a local authority site.
It is required because it may not be commercially attractive to collect WEEE due to the location for example, resulting in uncollected waste.
Importantly Defra has made it obligatory for all WEEE producer compliance schemes to join the Government’s approved PBS in 2019, to ensure the cost of collecting WEEE is equally and fairly shared. This recognises the fact that in previous years some schemes had decided not to join the PBS, creating an unbalanced system.
The consultation is open to all producers of EEE, compliance schemes, WEEE treatment facilities, waste management companies, electrical re-use organisations and local authorities. It is due to close on the 15 April and the Secretary of State aims to announce the approved PBS by 1 August 2019. After this approval is announced, all WEEE compliance schemes will have 30 days to join the new PBS.
B2B Compliance will be submitting a response in due course. If you have any concerns or questions regarding the consultation, please do not hesitate to contact our team.
To respond to the consultation directly please click here: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/environmental-quality/approvalofpbsproposal/.