Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (Amendment, etc.) Regulations 2025
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (Amendment, etc.) Regulations 2025 entered into force on 12th August 2025, closing a loophole that allowed some electrical products to be sold via online marketplaces without the sellars supporting recycling obligations [1].
These revised regulations also target the manner in which vapes are regulated and introduces specific waste streams for vaping devices.
Key Changes
- Online Marketplace Operator Obligations - The amendment extends the legal definition of "producer". Operators of online marketplaces now assume compliance obligations for foreign goods supplied to UK consumers if those goods originate from non-UK suppliers. Platforms must now finance the collection, treatment, and recycling of these items.
- Creation of a Vape Category - Schedule 3 of the 2013 regulations was amended to add category 7.1, which targets devices used for the consumption of various substances. Vapes, electronic cigarettes, and heated tobacco products fall under this specific collection stream, making vape producers financially and operationally responsible for their disposal.
These changes were made to (i) 'level the playing field' as prior to these amendments overseas sellers using online marketplaces avoided WEEE compliance costs, allowing them to unfairly undercut UK-based businesses; and (ii) improve environmental responsibility as there has been a huge increase in electronic waste from single -use and reusable vapes.
