What is the primary objective of **WEEE**?

**The primary objective of WEEE is to prevent the generation of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and, in priority order, promote its preparation for re-use, recycling, and other recovery forms to minimize environmental and health risks.** Established by **Directive 2012/19/EU**, it implements **Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)**, mandating separate collection (targets of **65%** of average EEE placed on the market over three prior years or **85%** of WEEE generated from 2019), selective treatment per **Annex II**, and recovery/recycling thresholds by **Annex III** categories under open scope since **15 August 2018**.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with **WEEE**?

**Producers—defined as manufacturers, brand owners, importers, and distance sellers placing EEE on the EU market—are legally required to comply with WEEE.** This includes registration in each Member State's national register via the **European WEEE Registers Network (EWRN)**, annual reporting of EEE **placed on the market (POM)** using harmonized formats (**Regulation 2019/290**), and financing collection/treatment through collective **Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs)** or individual schemes. Distributors must provide free "one-for-one" take-back and accept very small WEEE (≤**25 cm**) if sales area ≥**400 m²**.

Does **WEEE** require an external audit or third-party certification?

**WEEE does not mandate external audits or third-party certification for producers.** Compliance relies on national enforcement, self-reported POM data verified via harmonized methodologies (**Regulation 2017/699**), and evidence retention for inspections. Treatment facilities require permits and adherence to **Annex II** selective depollution, with PROs and recyclers subject to regular audits under national rules.

How often should an assessment for **WEEE** be performed?

**WEEE assessments should be performed annually to align with mandatory POM reporting deadlines set by national registers.** Ongoing monitoring is required for product classification under **Annex III** open scope, regulatory changes (e.g., **2025 evaluation**), and internal audits of PRO performance, fee payments, and evidence trails to ensure collection targets and traceability.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with **WEEE**?

**Non-compliance with WEEE results in national penalties including financial fines, market bans, and operational restrictions enforced by Member States.** Producers face retroactive fees, legal actions for under-reporting POM, and costs from inspections of suspected illegal shipments (**Annex VI**). Reputational damage and PRO delisting compound risks, with enforcement coordinated via harmonized data.

An **WEEE** be mapped to other international frameworks?

**WEEE cannot be formally mapped to other international frameworks as it is a standalone EU binding directive with national transpositions.** Its EPR model, open scope, and targets are unique, though it complements related EU rules without direct equivalence to non-EU standards.

What is the first step to begin implementing **WEEE**?

**The first step to implement WEEE is to register as a producer in each Member State's national authority via the EWRN.** Identify EEE scope per **Annex III**, appoint authorized representatives if non-EU based, and join a PRO for POM reporting and financing obligations.

What is the primary objective of **AS9120B**?

**AS9120B establishes quality management system requirements for aerospace distributors that procure, store, split, and resell parts without altering characteristics.** Built on ISO 9001:2015's 10-clause structure, it adds over 100 aerospace-specific controls targeting distribution risks like traceability loss, counterfeit parts infiltration, documentation errors, and external provider weaknesses. Core focus areas include chain-of-custody preservation via identification/traceability (Clause 8.5.2), counterfeit/suspected unapproved parts prevention (Clauses 8.1.4/8.1.5), configuration management (8.1.2), and enhanced supplier controls (8.4), ensuring product safety and conformity from receipt to delivery.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with **AS9120B**?

**AS9120B applies to aviation, space, and defense distributors performing purchase, storage, splitting, or resale without affecting product conformity.** It targets stockist distributors, pass-through distributors, and batch splitters, excluding value-added activities like machining or MRO. Certification is not legally mandated but is a commercial requirement from OEMs and primes for supply chain approval, with ~2,442 global certifications (836 in U.S. as of May 2023) enabling OASIS listing and market access.

Does **AS9120B** require an external audit or third-party certification?

**AS9120B requires third-party certification via accredited bodies using IAQG rules and AS9101 audit criteria.** Organizations undergo Stage 1 (documentation) and Stage 2 (implementation) audits, followed by annual surveillance and triennial recertification. Certification demonstrates QMS conformity, with OASIS registration for visibility; internal audits (Clause 9.2) support ongoing compliance.

How often should an assessment for **AS9120B** be performed?

**AS9120B mandates internal audits at planned intervals to cover the QMS annually (Clause 9.2).** Audits ensure conformity to requirements and effectiveness, using process-based approaches like PEAR/Turtle diagrams. Management reviews occur at planned intervals (Clause 9.3), typically quarterly, evaluating performance, risks, and audits. External surveillance audits follow certification annually.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with **AS9120B**?

**Non-compliance with AS9120B risks contract exclusion, supply chain rejection, and operational liabilities.** Lacking certification bars OEM/Tier 1 approval, leading to revenue loss; audit failures trigger findings on traceability, counterfeits, or supplier controls, requiring costly corrective actions. Safety incidents from poor chain-of-custody expose firms to recalls, penalties, and reputational damage in ASD markets.

An **AS9120B** be mapped to other international frameworks?

**AS9120B aligns directly with ISO 9001:2015 via its 10-clause HLS, enabling seamless mapping.** It augments ISO baseline with aerospace additions (e.g., counterfeit prevention, traceability), allowing integrated QMS for certified organizations. Clause-for-clause equivalence supports combined audits, but AS9120B's distributor controls (Clauses 8.1-8.7) require specific evidence.

What is the first step to begin implementing **AS9120B**?

**Conduct a gap analysis against AS9120B clauses using accredited checklists to identify deficiencies.** Form a cross-functional team to assess current processes versus requirements, prioritizing distributor risks like supplier controls and traceability. Document scope (Clause 4.3), justify non-applicabilities (e.g., 8.3 design), and create a risk-based implementation plan.

WEEE vs AS9120B

Standards Comparison

WEEE

Mandatory

2012

EU directive for WEEE management and recycling

AS9120B

Mandatory

2016

Aerospace QMS standard for distributors of unaltered parts.

Quick Verdict

WEEE mandates EU e-waste collection and recycling for electronics producers, while AS9120B is a voluntary QMS certification ensuring aerospace distributor traceability and counterfeit prevention. Organizations adopt WEEE for legal compliance; AS9120B for market access and supply chain trust.

Waste Management

WEEE

Directive 2012/19/EU on WEEE

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

Medium

Implementation Time

12-18 months

Key Features

Extended Producer Responsibility for end-of-life financing
Open scope covering all EEE since August 2018
65% collection targets from market-placed EEE weight
Mandatory selective depollution and treatment standards
National registration with harmonized reporting formats

Quality Management

AS9120B

AS9120B Quality Management Systems for Distributors

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

High

Implementation Time

6-12 months

Key Features

Counterfeit and suspected unapproved parts prevention
Traceability and chain-of-custody controls for split lots
Risk-based external provider evaluation and flowdown
Configuration management via sales order records
Preservation, storage, and product safety 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, the recast WEEE Directive, is a binding EU regulation establishing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for managing waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Its scope covers all EEE under open categories since 2018, prioritizing waste prevention, reuse, recycling, and recovery while minimizing health and environmental risks through selective treatment.

Key Components

EPR model: Producers finance and organize collection/treatment.
Six open-scope categories in Annex III.
Collection targets: 65% of EEE placed on market or 85% generated.
Treatment standards in Annex II (depollution), recovery/recycling goals.
National registers, harmonized reporting (e.g., Regulations 2017/699, 2019/290). No formal certification; compliance via national transposition and audits.

Why Organizations Use It

Legal obligation across EU for EEE producers/importers; avoids fines, market bans. Enables critical raw materials recovery, supports Green Deal goals, reduces risks from illegal exports. Builds stakeholder trust, aids circular economy transition.

Implementation Overview

Multi-jurisdictional: register per Member State, join PROs, report POM data, ensure take-back. Phased approach: gap analysis, PRO engagement, digital tracking, audits. Applies to all EEE sellers; complexity scales with markets/products.

AS9120B Details

What It Is

AS9120B is the IAQG quality management system (QMS) standard for aviation, space, and defense (AS&D) distributors. It augments ISO 9001:2015's high-level structure with over 100 aerospace-specific requirements. Its primary purpose is mitigating distribution risks like traceability loss, counterfeit parts, and documentation errors through risk-based thinking and Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) methodology.

Key Components

**Core pillarsContext analysis, leadership, planning, support, operations (traceability, counterfeit prevention), performance evaluation, improvement.
Built on ISO 9001:2015's 10 clauses with distributor-focused additions like configuration management and external provider controls.
Certification via accredited bodies, listed in IAQG's OASIS database.

Why Organizations Use It

Enables market access to OEMs/Tier 1 suppliers.
Reduces supply chain risks, builds customer trust.
Provides competitive edge via ~2,442 global certifications.

Implementation Overview

Phased approach: gap analysis, process design, training, audits (6-12 months typical).
Applies to stockist distributors; scalable by size. Requires internal audits, management reviews, certification audits.

Key Differences

Aspect	WEEE	AS9120B
Scope	EEE end-of-life management, collection, recycling	Aerospace parts distribution QMS, traceability
Industry	Electrical/electronic equipment manufacturers EU-wide	Aerospace distributors global
Nature	Binding EU directive, mandatory transposition	Voluntary QMS certification standard
Testing	National reporting, collection rate verification	Third-party audits, internal audits
Penalties	National fines, enforcement actions	Certification loss, market exclusion

Scope

WEEE

EEE end-of-life management, collection, recycling

AS9120B

Aerospace parts distribution QMS, traceability

Industry

WEEE

Electrical/electronic equipment manufacturers EU-wide

AS9120B

Aerospace distributors global

Nature

WEEE

Binding EU directive, mandatory transposition

AS9120B

Voluntary QMS certification standard

Testing

WEEE

National reporting, collection rate verification

AS9120B

Third-party audits, internal audits

Penalties

WEEE

National fines, enforcement actions

AS9120B

Certification loss, market exclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about WEEE and AS9120B

WEEE FAQ

AS9120B FAQ

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WEEE

AS9120B

Quick Verdict

WEEE

Key Features

AS9120B

Key Features

Detailed Analysis

WEEE Details

What It Is

Key Components

Why Organizations Use It

Implementation Overview

AS9120B Details

What It Is

Key Components

Why Organizations Use It

Implementation Overview

Key Differences

Scope

Industry

Nature

Testing

Penalties

Frequently Asked Questions

WEEE FAQ

What is the primary objective of WEEE?

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with WEEE?

Does WEEE require an external audit or third-party certification?

How often should an assessment for WEEE be performed?

What are the consequences of non-compliance with WEEE?

An WEEE be mapped to other international frameworks?

What is the first step to begin implementing WEEE?

AS9120B FAQ

What is the primary objective of AS9120B?

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with AS9120B?

Does AS9120B require an external audit or third-party certification?

How often should an assessment for AS9120B be performed?

What are the consequences of non-compliance with AS9120B?

An AS9120B be mapped to other international frameworks?

What is the first step to begin implementing AS9120B?

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Top 10 SOC 2 Mistakes Startups Make (and Fixes with Automation)

Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM

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PIPEDA vs COBIT

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