Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment

Removal of Eco Contribution as of September 2015

Implementation of the WEEE Directive

GRTU Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises, welcomes the removal of Eco Contribution regime on Electrical and Electronic products as of September 01, 2015.

This is without fail a feather in the cap for the Government of the day who has kept its electoral promise with the business community at large.  The 

political will to continue removing the rest of the products still falling under Eco Contribution is there and GRTU does expect Government to take the plunge in the coming budget and completely abolish Eco Contribution as of January 2016.  To this effect, Government has GRTU’s commitment that it shall fully co-operate to ensure that such measure is fully implemented in practice.

In saying this, GRTU will continue to insist with Producers/Importers to be in line with environmental obligations at law both in relation to Packaging and Packaging Waste and now Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment. Green MT, (GRTU’s fully owned subsidiary) will shortly launch “WEEE Malta”. “WEEE Malta” will be responsible to take on Producers/Importers legal obligation in relation to Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment.  Discussions with Government have led to the following major conclusions:

1. The removal of Eco Contribution on Electrical and Electronic Products as of 1 September 2015.
2. Importers of EEE (Electrical and Electronic Equipment) will, as from 1 September 2015 be obliged to join an Authorised Compliance Scheme or else be Self Compliant to the Legislation.
3. Self-compliance to the Legislation would require an Audit Trail of the methodology used by the Importer to reach one’s obligations, including collection, recovery and recycling targets.
4. Producers/Importers who join an Authorised WEEE Scheme can make use of a Recycling Insurance or a Financial Guarantee which would need to be submitted to the competent authority by January 2016.
5. The Competent Authority (either MEPA or ERA), will enter into individual “settlement agreements” in respect to WEEE obligations for the period 2007 – to 31 August 2015, only if the said Producer/Importer, has paid Eco Contribution in the said period.  Producers/importers will be able to enter into a “settlement agreement” if they can prove that they have joined an authorised WEEE Scheme as of 1 September 2015, by latest 31 August 2015.
6. Producers/Importers who fail to comply to the legislation will be liable to a fine of EUR750 per ton of EEE placed on the market as from 1 September 2015.

WEEE Malta operated by Green Mt will shortly launch its full package to prospective members based on their market placement of imports of EEE.  We have during the last months had intensive discussions with local stakeholders including Wasteserv Malta Ltd and other private WEEE-Authorised facilities.  The scheme has additionally held discussions with foreign operators in this line of business.

GRTU strongly urges all Producers/Importers of EEE (Electrical and Electronic Equipment) to contact WEEE Malta staff on telephone no. 21496965/6 during office hours to obtain further information about joining the Scheme.

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