CEWASTE, a project funded under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, has launched the consultation phase on a proposed European voluntary certification scheme for the collection and recycling of valuable and critical raw materials such as waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and used batteries. The online consultation is open for public comment until 31 January.
WEEE and used batteries are included in the list of critical raw materials drawn up by the European Commission as part of its strategy to achieve the objective of a greener, more resource-efficient and climate-resilient European economy. This list identifies critical raw materials that, in its view, require special attention due to their economic importance and a higher risk of supply disruption than other raw materials.
CEWASTE will create, validate and launch the certification system for facilities collecting, transporting and treating the main types of waste containing significant quantities of valuable and critical raw materials.
All requirements of existing relevant European guidelines and standards for the treatment of electrical and electronic waste have been reviewed. Among others, the CEWASTE document is built on the European EN 50625 standards for WEEE. Only where these are not sufficient to achieve all the objectives of the CEWASTE project have new requirements been developed.
To participate in the public consultation: http://bit.ly/305NSST (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)