Update to WEEE directive welcomed by environmental agency

Tougher collection rules are to be introduced to deal with waste electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE).

Discarded electronic waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the world and the European Union estimated that by 2015, member states will generate in total as much as 12 million tonnes of e-waste a year.

An update to the WEEE regulations means that retailers will face more stringent take-back requirements and exporters will be subjected to more requirements prior to shipping to ensure e-waste is not dumped in developing countries.

Julian Newman, of non-governmental organisation, the Environmental Investigation Agency said: "The new targets are more ambitious than those currently in effect.

"It's good that the EU has recognised its responsibility to deal with e-waste appropriately and to prevent it being illegally exported to poorer countries where it poses such a serious threat to the environment and to human health."