Paragraph 4 Selective treatment for materials and components of WEEEF1

(1)

The following substances, mixtures and components must be removed from any separately collected WEEE—

(a)

polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) containing capacitors in accordance with Council Directive 96/59/EC of 16 September 1996 on the disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls and polychlorinated terphenyls (PCB/PCT),

(b)

mercury containing components, such as switches or backlighting lamps,

(c)

batteries,

(d)

printed circuit boards of mobile phones generally, and of other devices if the surface of the printed circuit board is greater than 10 square centimetres,

(e)

toner cartridges, liquid and paste, as well as colour toner,

(f)

plastic containing brominated flame retardants,

(g)

asbestos waste and components which contain asbestos,

(h)

cathode ray tubes,

(i)

chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), or hydrofluorocarbons (HFC), hydrocarbons (HC),

(j)

gas discharge lamps,

(k)

liquid crystal displays (together with their casing where appropriate) of a surface greater than 100 square centimetres and all those back-lighted with gas discharge lamps,

(l)

external electric cables,

(m)

components containing refractory ceramic fibres as described in Commission Directive 97/69/EC of 5 December 1997 adapting to technical progress for the 23rd time Council Directive 67/548/EEC on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances,

(n)

components containing radioactive substances as defined in paragraph 4(1) of schedule 8 of these Regulations,

(o)

electrolyte capacitors containing substances of concern (height more than 25 mm, diameter more than 25 mm or proportionately similar volume).

(2)

The components of separately collected WEEE in this paragraph must be treated as indicated—

(a)

fluorescent coating must be removed from cathode ray tubes,

(b)

ozone depleting gases or gases with a global warming potential (GWP) above 15 must be properly extracted from equipment and properly treated,

(c)

ozone depleting gases referred to in head (b) must be treated in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1005/2009 on substances that deplete the ozone layer,

(d)

mercury must be removed from gas discharge lamps.

(3)

Sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) are to be applied so that environmentally sound preparation for re-use and recycling of components or whole appliances is not hindered.

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1: Sch. 16 inserted (1.11.2025) by The Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025 (S.S.I. 2025/165), reg. 1(2), sch. 7 (with sch. 23)