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New research by the Environment Agency shows that 76 percent of  businesses questioned are aware of the WEEE Regulations and a clear majority also  believe that disposal of electrical and electronic waste in the UK is a major problem – demonstrating a high business awareness of green issues.

The research also revealed that there are still some concerning misconceptions around the regulations. These misconceptions could result in businesses putting themselves at risk of breaching the rules.  The major areas of concern are:

UK businesses do not realise they are classified as electrical producers
Over a third of companies questioned mistakenly think that small companies are exempt from the WEEE Regulations.  In fact all businesses that make or assemble products which require electricity for their main purpose - from TVs to medical devices - and sell them under their own brand name, or who rebrand or import products before putting them on the UK market, are likely to have to comply with the WEEE Regulations, regardless of their size.

Companies believe that if offices are not in the UK they don't need to comply
Even when a business' office is based outside the UK, if it brings electrical goods into the country to place on the UK market it still needs to join a WEEE compliance scheme in the UK. The WEEE Regulations have been introduced to put the responsibility for waste disposal back on the producers. Any company involved in the manufacture, distribution, import or rebranding of electrical and electronic products since January 2007 falls into this category.

The regulations affect manufacturers more than importers
WEEE Regulations apply equally to all businesses involved in the EEE (Electrical and Electronic Equipment) supply chain from manufacturers to distributors - there is no one sector that is more affected than another.  To assume the regulations do not apply without checking is to risk enforcement action.  Businesses can use online resources, such as the Environment Agency website, to find out quickly and simply how they are affected and the steps they are required to take to comply.

Adrian Harding, Producer Responsibility Policy Advisor at the Environment Agency, said:
"It is encouraging to see good overall awareness of green issues across electronics manufacturing businesses.  However, it is concerning that many businesses in the sector have not made full use of the guidance that's been put in place to help them comply with the WEEE Regulations. As we step up our enforcement of the regulations, many of these businesses are putting themselves at an increasing risk of being fined."