The European Commission has today issued technical guidance on the classification of waste that among other things, provides a way forward on the classification of large domestic appliances (LDA).  Specifically, it implies that the weight of whole appliances could be used when determining waste classification status (‘hazardous’ or ‘non-hazardous’).

The guidance, published in the Official Journal of the European Union, focuses on certain aspects in the Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC on waste) and the List of Waste, as revised in 2014 and 2017.

Singling out Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), the guidance points to the state of waste when it is classified, that is to say the state in which it is usually transferred, and then subsequently managed.

Reacting to the guidance, BMRA technical director Howard Bluck said: “British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA) has long awaited clarification on how to appropriately classify WEEE, specifically LDA. Our previous attempts to do so have been hampered by the lack of a consistent definition of ‘component’.  This new guidance is encouraging as it seems to indicate that if the whole appliance is being classified then it is the entire weight of the appliance that should be used to calculate the applied concentration limits in terms of hazardous substances, rather than a single component”

The guidance goes on to say if, after selective treatment of whole items, separated fractions are classified, it is the weight of these fractions that need to be considered.

BMRA will resume its previous discussions with the Environment Agency on the waste classification of LDA in the coming weeks.  In the meantime, should you have any questions, please contact Howard Bluck.