Standards Comparison

    WEEE

    Mandatory
    2012

    EU regulation for waste electrical and electronic equipment management

    VS

    AS9100

    Mandatory
    2016

    International standard for aerospace quality management systems.

    Quick Verdict

    WEEE mandates EU-wide e-waste collection, treatment, and producer responsibility for electronics firms, while AS9100 is a voluntary QMS certification ensuring aerospace product safety and supply chain integrity. Companies adopt WEEE for legal compliance; AS9100 for market access and reliability.

    Waste Management

    WEEE

    Directive 2012/19/EU on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    Medium
    Implementation Time
    12-18 months

    Key Features

    • Mandates Extended Producer Responsibility for EEE end-of-life
    • Open scope covers all electrical equipment since 2018
    • Sets 65% POM or 85% generated collection rate targets
    • Requires selective depollution and Annex II treatment standards
    • Enforces national registration with harmonized POM reporting
    Quality Management

    AS9100

    AS9100D Quality Management Systems Requirements

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    12-18 months

    Key Features

    • Configuration management for product integrity
    • Product safety processes across lifecycle
    • Counterfeit parts prevention and detection
    • Operational risk management in Clause 8
    • Enhanced supplier controls and traceability

    Detailed Analysis

    A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

    WEEE Details

    What It Is

    Directive 2012/19/EU, the recast WEEE Directive, is a binding EU regulation implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for managing waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). It applies an open-scope approach covering all EEE since 15 August 2018, prioritizing waste prevention, reuse, recycling, recovery, and risk reduction from hazardous substances via national transposition and harmonized methodologies.

    Key Components

    • **Producer obligationsregistration/reporting EEE placed on market (POM) per Member State, financing collection/treatment via PROs or individual schemes.
    • **Targets65% average POM (3 years) or 85% WEEE generated collection; category-specific recovery/recycling.
    • TreatmentAnnex II** selective depollution, storage rules.
    • Built on waste hierarchy; enforced nationally with Eurostat monitoring, no central certification.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Mandatory for EU market access; avoids penalties, illegal export risks; recovers critical raw materials; aligns with Green Deal; enhances reputation, supply security, circular strategy.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased: gap analysis, multi-country registration, data integration, reverse logistics, audits. Suits producers/importers EU-wide; scales with portfolio/markets; requires ongoing POM reporting, PRO governance.

    AS9100 Details

    What It Is

    AS9100D (AS9100:2016) is the international quality management system (QMS) standard for aviation, space, and defense organizations. It builds on ISO 9001:2015 with over 100 aerospace-specific requirements, using a process-based, risk-focused approach to ensure product safety and supply chain integrity.

    Key Components

    • 10-clause Annex SL structure covering context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, and improvement.
    • Aerospace additions: configuration management (8.1.2), product safety (8.1.3), counterfeit prevention (8.1.4), operational risks (8.1.1).
    • Built on risk-based thinking, human factors, and supplier controls; requires third-party certification via IAQG-accredited audits.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Meets OEM contractual mandates for market access.
    • Reduces defects, improves delivery, enhances traceability.
    • Mitigates safety risks, builds stakeholder trust, lowers costs.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: gap analysis, process design, training, internal audits, Stage 1/2 certification.
    • Applies to manufacturers, designers, MROs globally; 6-18 months typical; ongoing surveillance audits.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    WEEE
    EEE end-of-life management, collection, treatment, recycling
    AS9100
    Aerospace QMS for design, production, safety, supply chain

    Industry

    WEEE
    Electrical/electronic equipment manufacturers EU-wide
    AS9100
    Aviation, space, defense global supply chain

    Nature

    WEEE
    Mandatory EU directive, national transposition
    AS9100
    Voluntary certification standard

    Testing

    WEEE
    National reporting, collection rate verification
    AS9100
    Third-party audits, surveillance, recertification

    Penalties

    WEEE
    National fines, enforcement actions
    AS9100
    Loss of certification, market exclusion

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about WEEE and AS9100

    WEEE FAQ

    AS9100 FAQ

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