Standards Comparison

    WEEE

    Mandatory
    2012

    EU directive for waste electrical equipment management

    VS

    AS9110C

    Mandatory
    2016

    Aerospace standard for MRO quality management systems

    Quick Verdict

    WEEE mandates EU e-waste management via EPR and collection targets for electronics firms, while AS9110C is a voluntary QMS certification ensuring safe aviation maintenance. Producers adopt WEEE for legal compliance; MROs pursue AS9110C for contracts and quality.

    Waste Management

    WEEE

    EU Directive 2012/19/EU on WEEE

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

    Key Features

    • Extended Producer Responsibility for end-of-life EEE management
    • Open scope covering all electrical equipment since 2018
    • 65% collection targets based on EEE placed on market
    • Mandatory national registration and harmonized reporting
    • Selective depollution and recycling treatment standards
    Quality Management

    AS9110C

    AS9110C Quality Management Systems for Aircraft Maintenance

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • Configuration management and traceability controls
    • Counterfeit and suspect parts prevention
    • Risk-based thinking in maintenance planning
    • Human factors and competence requirements
    • Operational release and airworthiness controls

    Detailed Analysis

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

    WEEE Details

    What It Is

    Directive 2012/19/EU (WEEE Directive) is a binding EU regulation establishing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). It covers prevention, collection, treatment, and recovery of waste EEE across open-scope categories since 2018, prioritizing waste hierarchy: prevention, reuse, recycling, recovery.

    Key Components

    • Six open-scope categories in Annex III for all EEE.
    • **Collection targets65% of average EEE placed on market (POM) or 85% of generated WEEE.
    • **Treatment standardsselective depollution (Annex II), recovery/recycling thresholds.
    • National registers, harmonized reporting (e.g., Regulations 2017/699, 2019/290), crossed-out bin labeling.
    • Compliance via collective PROs or individual schemes, enforced nationally.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Mandated for EU market access; reduces environmental risks, recovers critical materials, supports Green Deal. Mitigates fines, bans; enables circular economy, supply security, reputation.

    Implementation Overview

    Multi-country registration, POM reporting, PRO joining, reverse logistics design. Applies to producers/importers EU-wide; phased rollout (gap analysis, systems integration, audits); no central certification, national enforcement.

    AS9110C Details

    What It Is

    AS9110C, or AS9110:2016 Rev C, is an international certification standard for quality management systems (QMS) in aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) organizations. It builds on ISO 9001:2015 with aerospace-specific requirements, using a risk-based thinking (RBT) and PDCA approach to ensure airworthiness and compliance.

    Key Components

    • Core clauses (4-10) covering context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, improvement.
    • Aviation additions: configuration management, counterfeit parts prevention, human factors, traceability, release controls.
    • Built on Annex SL HLS; requires documented information, competence, and operational evidence.
    • Certification via accredited registrars with Stage 1/2 audits.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Meets customer/OEM contracts and regulatory alignments (FAA/EASA Part-145).
    • Mitigates safety risks, reduces rework, improves on-time delivery.
    • Enhances market access, supplier qualification (OASIS listing), operational efficiency.
    • Builds stakeholder trust in airworthiness and reliability.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: gap analysis, process design, pilot, audits, certification.
    • Applies to MROs of all sizes globally; 6-12 months typical.
    • Involves training, eQMS, internal audits, management reviews.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    WEEE
    EEE end-of-life management, collection, recycling, EPR
    AS9110C
    Aerospace MRO QMS, maintenance, airworthiness controls

    Industry

    WEEE
    Electronics producers EU-wide, all sizes
    AS9110C
    Aviation maintenance organizations globally

    Nature

    WEEE
    Binding EU directive, national transposition, mandatory
    AS9110C
    Voluntary certification standard, ISO 9001 based

    Testing

    WEEE
    National reporting, collection rate verification
    AS9110C
    Internal audits, management reviews, certification audits

    Penalties

    WEEE
    National fines, enforcement, market restrictions
    AS9110C
    Loss of certification, no direct legal penalties

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about WEEE and AS9110C

    WEEE FAQ

    AS9110C FAQ

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