Draft EU Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (Hansard, 23 April 2002)

HC Deb 23 April 2002 vol 384 cc209-10W 209W

§ Mr. Hammond
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what Government policy is on the financial impact on councils of the draft EU Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive; [50914]
(2) what the Government's policy is on (a) individual company responsibility, (b) collective industry responsibility and (c) community responsibility through the general taxation system for costs of collection and recycling of waste equipment as required by the draft EU Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive. [50919]

§ Mr. Wilson
The UK's approach to the implementation of the directive will depend on the provisions of the directive when finally adopted.
The Government will consult fully with all stakeholders on implementation options once the final text is available.
In addition, a further regulatory impact assessment will be carried out to assess the financial and other impacts of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive 210W on local authorities and other stakeholders. Where the costs of EU initiatives fall disproportionately on local authorities, the lead Government Department is responsible for fully funding those costs.

§ Mr. Hammond
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what assessment she has made of the impact on the economic viability of(a) individual businesses and (b) defined business sectors from the implementation of the draft EU Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive; [50916]
(2) what assessment she has made of the cost to UK business of the draft EU Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive. [50912]

§ Mr. Wilson
The Department submitted its updated Explanatory Memorandum and partial regulatory impact assessment of the proposal to both Houses on 15 March 2002. The regulatory impact assessment suggests that the costs to business lie in the range of £191 million and £391 million per annum in the UK.
The European Commission's Explanatory Memorandum suggests that product price increases could he between 1 and 3 per cent. if the costs of the proposal were to be passed on to consumers. Under these circumstances, economic viability of businesses or sectors would not be significantly affected.
Impacts on the economic viability of businesses or sectors will also depend on domestic implementation structures. The Government will consult all stakeholders while devising implementing legislation.