You are a distributor under the WEEE Directive if you are:
irrespective of selling technique.
What are the obligations on distributors?The WEEE regulations affect retailers and other distributors who sell electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). If they are selling EEE to the public, retailers will have to ensure that their customers can return their WEEE free of charge. This will be on a one-for-one basis, as long as the new equipment is of similar type and has the same function as the old equipment.
Private householders will be able to return their WEEE to retailers who offer in-store take-back. Retailers will be able to set up alternative collection systems as long as they are still convenient for customers.
The WEEE regulations allow a Distributor Takeback Scheme (DTS) to be created. This is an alternative to in-store take-back for retailers and other distributors who join and is largely based on the existing network of local authority civic amenity sites known as Designated Collection Facilities (DCFs).
Valpak Retail WEEE Services were recently appointed by the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) to operate the Distributor Takeback Scheme. Retailers and other distributors that join are required to contribute to a fund that will pay for a network of Designated Collection Facilities. These retailers will not have to offer in-store take-back of WEEE but will direct consumers to the nearest Designated Collection Facility.
View Valpak - Distributor Take-back Scheme
Retailers will also have to ask producers of EEE for their unique producer number when they supply EEE. This number will prove that the producer has joined an approved compliance scheme and is helping fund the treatment and recycling of separately collected household WEEE.
The Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) carries out the enforcement activities in relation to in-store takeback and the DTS.