Standards Comparison

    WEEE

    Mandatory
    2012

    EU directive managing waste electrical and electronic equipment

    VS

    ISO 14064

    Voluntary
    2018

    International standard for GHG quantification, reporting, verification

    Quick Verdict

    WEEE mandates EU e-waste management for electronics producers via collection and recycling, while ISO 14064 provides voluntary global GHG accounting standards. Companies adopt WEEE for legal compliance and market access; ISO 14064 for credible emissions reporting and investor trust.

    Waste Management

    WEEE

    Directive 2012/19/EU on WEEE

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

    Key Features

    • Extended Producer Responsibility finances end-of-life management
    • Open scope covers all EEE since August 2018
    • 65% POM or 85% generated collection targets
    • Selective depollution and Annex II treatment standards
    • National registration with harmonized reporting formats
    Greenhouse Gas Accounting

    ISO 14064

    ISO 14064: Greenhouse gases specification with guidance

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

    Key Features

    • Three-part modular structure for inventories, projects, verification
    • Five core principles: relevance, completeness, consistency, transparency, accuracy
    • Scopes 1-3 emissions classification and boundary setting
    • Risk-based independent validation and verification processes
    • Alignment with GHG Protocol for global comparability

    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 end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). Its primary purpose is preventing WEEE generation, promoting reuse, recycling, and recovery while minimizing health/environmental risks. Scope expanded to open scope from 2018 covering six categories via Annex III. Key approach: harmonized targets, national transposition, and data-driven enforcement.

    Key Components

    • **EPR pillarsproducer registration/reporting, financing collection/treatment, take-back obligations.
    • Six open-scope categories with recovery/recycling targets (e.g., 80-85% recovery).
    • Selective treatment (Annex II depollution), collection rates (65% EEE POM or 85% generated).
    • Built on waste hierarchy; compliance via national registers/PROs, no central certification.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Mandated for EU market access; reduces risks from illegal exports/penalties. Enables critical raw materials recovery, supports Green Deal circularity. Builds stakeholder trust, avoids fines/market bans, provides competitive edge via eco-design.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased: gap analysis, multi-country registration/PRO joining, POM data systems, reverse logistics. Applies to producers/importers EU-wide; high complexity for multinationals. National audits/enforcement; ongoing reporting per harmonized formats.

    ISO 14064 Details

    What It Is

    ISO 14064 is the international standard series (ISO 14064-1:2018, -2:2019, -3:2019) for greenhouse gas (GHG) quantification, reporting, and assurance. It provides a modular framework for organizations to develop credible GHG inventories, project reductions, and independent verification, emphasizing principle-based accounting.

    Key Components

    • **Three partsOrganizational inventories (Part 1), project-level accounting (Part 2), validation/verification (Part 3).
    • **Five core principlesRelevance, completeness, consistency, transparency, accuracy.
    • Scopes 1-3 emissions classification and boundary setting.
    • Voluntary third-party assurance model aligned with ISO 14065.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Enables regulatory compliance (e.g., CSRD, SB-253), investor trust, and carbon market access.
    • Drives operational efficiencies, risk mitigation, and decarbonization strategies.
    • Builds stakeholder confidence through verifiable, comparable data.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased approach: governance, boundary design, data systems, verification.
    • Suited for all sizes/industries; 6-12 months typical.
    • Involves training, software, and optional certification via accredited verifiers. (178 words)

    Key Differences

    Scope

    WEEE
    E-waste collection, treatment, recycling
    ISO 14064
    Organizational/project GHG quantification, verification

    Industry

    WEEE
    EEE producers, electronics across EU
    ISO 14064
    All sectors worldwide for GHG reporting

    Nature

    WEEE
    Mandatory EU directive, national enforcement
    ISO 14064
    Voluntary international standard family

    Testing

    WEEE
    Treatment audits, collection rate verification
    ISO 14064
    Independent GHG validation/verification

    Penalties

    WEEE
    National fines, market bans
    ISO 14064
    No legal penalties, certification loss

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about WEEE and ISO 14064

    WEEE FAQ

    ISO 14064 FAQ

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