Bira welcomes action on online marketplace waste compliance for vaping and electrical goods

Bira has strongly welcomed the announcement that overseas online marketplaces must now pay their share of electrical waste disposal costs, particularly highlighting its impact on the growing vaping sector.

Bira says the extension of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) regulations will finally create a level playing field between high street and online sellers.

On December 10, circular economy minister Mary Creagh announced: "Electrical equipment like vapes are being sold in the UK by producers who are failing to pay their fair share when recycling and reusing of dealing with old or broken items. Today we're ending this: creating a level playing field for all producers of electronics, to ensure fairness and fund the cost of the treatment of waste electricals.

"As part of our Plan for Change, we are helping UK businesses compete and grow, and we continue to get more households recycling, cracking down on waste and ending the throwaway society."

Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, said: "This marks a significant step towards fairer retail competition. The regulation of online marketplaces for WEEE compliance has been a particular concern in the vaping sector, where we've seen a surge in online sales without corresponding waste management responsibilities. These new rules will ensure all sellers contribute to the environmental costs of their products."

The WEEE directive, first introduced in 2002 and updated in 2012, covers all items requiring batteries, solar energy, or electrical current to operate. This includes large household appliances like refrigerators and dishwashers, small household appliances, IT equipment, consumer electronics, lighting, tools, toys, and medical devices.

Jeff Moody, commercial director of Retra, Bira's specialist electrical retail division, added: "The vaping industry exemplifies why these regulations are needed. High street retailers have managed disposal responsibilities while online sellers haven't faced the same obligations. This has created an unfair advantage for online marketplaces, particularly with products like vapes that have significant environmental impact."

"As part of the Bira group, Retra has long advocated for equal treatment between online and physical retailers," added Mr Moody. "This announcement marks a significant victory for independent retailers who have consistently met their environmental obligations while competing with online sellers operating under different rules."

The directive, first introduced in 2002 and updated in 2012, places responsibilities on all producers - including manufacturers, importers, distant-sellers, distributors and retailers. These regulations ensure proper disposal and recycling of everything from large household appliances to small electronics, including the growing category of vaping products.