Standards Comparison

    WEEE

    Mandatory
    2012

    EU directive managing end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment

    VS

    EN 1090

    Mandatory
    2009

    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.

    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 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
    Structural Metalwork

    EN 1090

    EN 1090 Execution of steel and aluminium structures

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

    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

    Scope

    WEEE
    EEE end-of-life collection, treatment, recycling
    EN 1090
    Steel/aluminium structural component fabrication, conformity

    Industry

    WEEE
    Electronics producers, EU-wide
    EN 1090
    Construction fabricators, EU/EEA construction

    Nature

    WEEE
    Binding EU Directive, national transposition
    EN 1090
    Harmonized standard enabling CE marking

    Testing

    WEEE
    POM reporting, collection rate monitoring
    EN 1090
    FPC certification, welding quals, NDT audits

    Penalties

    WEEE
    National fines, market restrictions
    EN 1090
    CE mark withdrawal, market exclusion

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about WEEE and EN 1090

    WEEE FAQ

    EN 1090 FAQ

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