201219EU

201219EU is commonly used as shorthand for Directive 2012/19/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, adopted in 2012, which concerns waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). The directive recasts and replaces the earlier WEEE framework and aims to minimize the environmental impact of electrical and electronic waste by promoting collection, treatment, recycling, and recovery.

The directive establishes an EU-wide framework that places responsibility on producers to finance and organize the end-of-life management of electrical and electronic equipment. It also requires member states to set up systems for the separate collection of WEEE and to ensure convenient collection points for consumers. Distributors and retailers play a role in facilitating consumer return of end-of-life EEE, while national authorities monitor compliance and enforce penalties for non-compliance.

Scope and categories covered by the directive include a broad range of household and certain professional electrical and electronic equipment. The measures seek to improve the treatment of collected WEEE, ensuring that hazardous substances are managed safely and that valuable materials are recovered through recycling and refurbishment where feasible. The directive also mandates information provision to consumers about take-back options and the environmental implications of WEEE.

Implementation and impact have varied by member state, requiring transposition into national law by deadlines set in the directive. The accompanying framework has influenced industry practices, collection networks, and recycling infrastructure across the EU, contributing to higher capture rates for discarded electronics and encouraging design practices that facilitate reuse and material recovery.