Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive

HC Deb 30 March 2004 vol 419 cc1368-9W

Mr. Donohoe

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimates her Department has made of the cost to(a) consumers, (b) taxpayers and (c) local councils of implementing the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive. [163885]

Mr. Timms

The Government's proposals for implementation of the EU Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment should result in no new burdens on taxpayers or local councils. The Directive is a producer responsibility measure and it will be a matter for producers and retailers whether they pass any new costs through to consumers. A Partial Regulatory Impact Assessment of the Government's implementation strategy was published with their consultation paper on implementation plans for the Directive on 26 November. A copy of this has been placed in the Libraries of the House.