WEEE
EU directive managing end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment
EN 1090
EU standard for steel and aluminium structures execution
Quick Verdict
WEEE mandates EU-wide e-waste collection and recycling for electronics producers via EPR, while EN 1090 requires certified FPC and CE marking for structural steel/aluminium fabricators. Companies adopt WEEE for legal compliance and circularity; EN 1090 for market access and safety.
WEEE
Directive 2012/19/EU on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
Key Features
- Mandates Extended Producer Responsibility for end-of-life management
- Open scope covers all EEE since August 2018
- Sets 65% collection targets or 85% generated WEEE
- Requires selective depollution and treatment standards
- Demands national registration and harmonized reporting
EN 1090
EN 1090 Execution of steel and aluminium structures
Key Features
- CE marking via Factory Production Control certification
- Risk-based Execution Classes EXC1-EXC4 scaling
- Welding quality management per ISO 3834
- Material traceability and NDT inspection regimes
- Conformity assessment by Notified Bodies
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 a framework for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment. It enforces Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to prevent waste, promote reuse, recycling, and recovery while minimizing health and environmental risks. Key approach: open scope since 2018 covering all EEE, with national transposition and harmonized targets.
Key Components
- Producer registration, reporting, and financing via PROs
- Collection targets: 65% average EEE placed on market or 85% generated
- Six open-scope categories in Annex III
- Selective treatment (Annex II depollution) and recovery/recycling thresholds
- Crossed-out wheeled bin labeling and anti-illegal export controls Compliance via national registers, no central certification but audits.
Why Organizations Use It
Legal mandate for EU producers/importers; avoids fines, market bans. Enables critical raw material recovery, supports Green Deal circularity. Builds stakeholder trust, reduces risks from hazardous substances.
Implementation Overview
Multi-jurisdictional: register per Member State, join PROs, track POM data. Phases: gap analysis, registration, reverse logistics, digital reporting. Applies to all EEE sellers; audits by national authorities. (178 words)
EN 1090 Details
What It Is
EN 1090 is the European harmonized standard family for the execution of steel and aluminium structures. It provides technical requirements and conformity assessment under the Construction Products Regulation (CPR), enabling CE marking for load-bearing components. Its risk-based approach uses Execution Classes (EXC1-EXC4) to scale requirements by consequence, service, and production categories.
Key Components
- **EN 1090-1Conformity assessment, Factory Production Control (FPC), Declaration of Performance (DoP).
- **EN 1090-2/-3Technical rules for steel/aluminium (materials, welding, tolerances, corrosion protection, NDT).
- Core principles: Traceability, welding quality (ISO 3834 alignment), inspection regimes.
- **Certification modelNotified Body audits FPC with ongoing surveillance.
Why Organizations Use It
- Mandatory for EU market access via CE marking.
- Reduces liability, ensures safety, drives quality.
- Builds trust, enables high-risk projects, cuts rework.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: Gap analysis, FPC build, personnel training, NB certification.
- Targets fabricators in construction; 6-12 months typical.
- Requires welding coordinators, traceability systems.
Key Differences
| Aspect | WEEE | EN 1090 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | EEE end-of-life collection, treatment, recycling | Steel/aluminium structural component fabrication, conformity |
| Industry | Electronics producers, EU-wide | Construction fabricators, EU/EEA construction |
| Nature | Binding EU Directive, national transposition | Harmonized standard enabling CE marking |
| Testing | POM reporting, collection rate monitoring | FPC certification, welding quals, NDT audits |
| Penalties | National fines, market restrictions | CE mark withdrawal, market exclusion |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about WEEE and EN 1090
WEEE FAQ
EN 1090 FAQ
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