WEEE
EU Directive for end-of-life management of electrical equipment
GLBA
US federal law for financial privacy and data safeguards
Quick Verdict
WEEE mandates EU-wide e-waste collection, treatment, and producer responsibility for electronics makers, while GLBA requires US financial firms to secure NPI via privacy notices and safeguards programs. Companies adopt them for legal compliance, risk reduction, and circular economy/resource security.
WEEE
Directive 2012/19/EU on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
Key Features
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) financing model
- Open scope covering all electrical equipment since 2018
- 65% market-placed or 85% generated collection targets
- Mandatory distributor one-for-one take-back obligations
- Selective depollution and recycling treatment standards
GLBA
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA)
Key Features
- Privacy notices and opt-out rights for NPI sharing
- Written information security program with safeguards
- Qualified Individual designation and board reporting
- 30-day FTC breach notification for 500+ consumers
- Service provider oversight and risk management
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 waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). It covers all EEE placed on EU markets under open scope since 2018, prioritizing waste prevention, reuse, recycling, and recovery via separate collection and treatment to minimize environmental and health risks.
Key Components
- Six open-scope categories in Annex III for EEE classification.
- **Collection targets65% of average EEE placed on market or 85% generated.
- **Treatment standardsselective depollution (Annex II), recovery/recycling thresholds.
- **Producer obligationsnational registration, reporting, financing via PROs.
- Compliance enforced nationally with harmonized reporting formats.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandated for producers/importers selling EEE in EU; ensures legal compliance, reduces risks from illegal exports, enables critical raw material recovery. Strategic benefits include circular economy alignment, cost efficiencies via eco-design, and enhanced reputation amid Green Deal priorities.
Implementation Overview
Phased approach: gap analysis, multi-country registration, PRO joining, POM reporting integration, reverse logistics setup. Applies to all EEE producers/distributors EU-wide; requires ongoing audits, no central certification but national enforcement.
GLBA Details
What It Is
The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) is a US federal law enacted in 1999. It establishes privacy and security standards for financial institutions handling nonpublic personal information (NPI). GLBA uses a risk-based approach through the Privacy Rule and Safeguards Rule, enforced primarily by the FTC for non-banks.
Key Components
- Privacy Rule (16 C.F.R. Part 313): Initial/annual notices, opt-out rights for nonaffiliated sharing.
- Safeguards Rule (16 C.F.R. Part 314): Written security program with administrative, technical, physical safeguards; Qualified Individual; board reporting; breach notification (>500 consumers).
- **Pretexting protectionsAnti-social engineering measures. No formal certification; compliance via self-assessment and audits.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandatory for financial institutions (broad scope: banks, lenders, tax firms). Mitigates enforcement risks (fines up to $100k/violation), enhances data security, builds customer trust, supports vendor oversight.
Implementation Overview
Phased: scoping, risk assessment, policy development, technical controls (encryption, MFA), training, testing. Applies to US financial entities; smaller firms have exemptions. Ongoing audits, no external certification required.
Key Differences
| Aspect | WEEE | GLBA |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | End-of-life electrical/electronic equipment management | Consumer financial privacy and data security |
| Industry | All sectors producing/selling EEE, EU-focused | Financial institutions handling NPI, US-focused |
| Nature | Mandatory EU directive with national enforcement | Mandatory US federal law with agency rules |
| Testing | Treatment/recovery rate verification, audits | Risk assessments, pen tests, vulnerability scans |
| Penalties | National fines, market restrictions, enforcement | Civil penalties up to $100k/violation, criminal |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about WEEE and GLBA
WEEE FAQ
GLBA FAQ
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