WEEE
EU Directive for end-of-life electrical equipment management
WCAG
Global standard for web content accessibility.
Quick Verdict
WEEE mandates EU e-waste management via EPR and collection targets for producers, while WCAG provides testable guidelines for accessible web content. Companies adopt WEEE for legal compliance and circular economy, WCAG to avoid lawsuits and serve disabled users.
WEEE
Directive 2012/19/EU on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
Key Features
- Mandates Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for financing take-back
- Open scope covers all EEE since August 2018
- Sets 65% POM or 85% generated collection targets
- Requires selective depollution and Annex II treatment standards
- Harmonized national registration and annual POM reporting
WCAG
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
Key Features
- POUR principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust
- Testable success criteria at A, AA, AAA levels
- Technology-agnostic and backward-compatible versions
- Conformance requirements for full pages and processes
- Informative techniques, failures, and understanding docs
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 Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). It applies open-scope coverage to all EEE since 2018, prioritizing waste prevention, reuse, recycling, and recovery while minimizing health/environmental risks via separate collection and treatment.
Key Components
- EPR model: Producers finance/organize collection/treatment via PROs.
- Six Annex III categories; collection targets (65% average EEE POM or 85% generated).
- Selective depollution (Annex II), recovery/recycling targets.
- Harmonized registration/reporting (2019/290); crossed-out bin labeling.
- National transposition/enforcement.
Why Organizations Use It
Legal obligation for EU market access; reduces risks from illegal exports/hazards; recovers critical materials; supports Green Deal circularity. Enhances reputation, avoids fines/market bans.
Implementation Overview
Phased: gap analysis, multi-country registration, PRO joining, POM data systems, reverse logistics. Applies to producers/importers EU-wide; audits via national authorities. No central certification; data-driven compliance.
WCAG Details
What It Is
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is the W3C's internationally recognized, technology-agnostic framework for making web content accessible to people with disabilities. Its primary purpose is to provide testable success criteria ensuring perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust digital experiences, applicable to websites, apps, and documents.
Key Components
- Four **POUR principlesPerceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust.
- 13 guidelines with ~80 success criteria at Levels A, AA, AAA.
- Informative techniques, understanding docs, and conformance requirements (full pages, complete processes).
- Backward-compatible versions like WCAG 2.1 and 2.2.
Why Organizations Use It
- Meets legal benchmarks (ADA, Section 508, EN 301 549, EAA).
- Reduces litigation risk and enhances market reach (1B+ users).
- Improves UX, SEO, conversions; builds stakeholder trust.
Implementation Overview
Phased approach: policy, assessment, remediation via design systems/CI tools, training, audits. Suits all sizes/industries; AA is typical target. No formal certification, but VPAT/ACR for procurement.
Key Differences
| Aspect | WEEE | WCAG |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | EEE end-of-life management, collection, treatment, recycling | Web content accessibility for people with disabilities |
| Industry | All sectors placing EEE on EU markets, multinational producers | All web-publishing organizations, global with regional mandates |
| Nature | Mandatory EU directive, national transposition and enforcement | Voluntary W3C standard, referenced in laws and procurement |
| Testing | POM reporting, collection rate verification, treatment audits | Automated scans, manual audits, assistive tech, user testing |
| Penalties | National fines, market bans, enforcement actions | Litigation, settlements, procurement disqualification |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about WEEE and WCAG
WEEE FAQ
WCAG FAQ
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