92000E3869

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3869/00

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(8 December 2000)

Subject: WEEE electronic waste proposal spare parts and exemption

With regard to the Electronic Waste (WEEE) and Restrictions on Hazardous Substances (RoHS) proposals, would the Commission agree that a ban on substances in spare parts would have an impact on their design which might make them incompatible with the electronic products in which they were used? Does the Commission agree that this will lead to unnecessary waste creation?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3867/00, E-3868/00 and E-3869/00 given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(23 February 2001)

Article 4 of the Proposal for a Directive on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment(1) foresees the substitution of certain heavy metals and brominated flame retardants in this equipment with effect from 1 January 2008. Clearly, this requirement refers only to new equipment placed on the market after 1 January 2008 and does not affect equipment already on the market at that date.

It is not the intention to prohibit the use of spare parts containing one or more of the substances targeted by the Proposal if the functioning of electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market for the first time before 2008 would be jeopardized without such spare parts. The Commission agrees that otherwise electrical and electronic equipment might have to be discarded unnecessarily.

(1) OJ C 365 E, 19.12.2000.