In response to the ‘take-back obligation’, Recupel vzw organises the collection and processing of WEEE in Belgium.

The take-back obligation is the regulation that stipulates that every shop/merchant that ‘brings an electro-appliance onto the Belgian market’ must also take care of the collection and processing of the discarded appliances.

We work closely with the merchants, municipalities, intermunicipal companies and recycling shops, as well as with specialised companies for the transport and ecological processing of the discarded appliances.

These activities are funded by the Recupel contribution that customers pay when they buy a new appliance.

The European legislation defines 10 categories of electro-appliances for which a take-back obligation applies:

• Large household appliances
• Small household appliances
• IT and telecommunication equipment
• Consumer appliances
• Lighting equipment
• Electric and electronic tools (with the exception of large, immovable industrial installations)
• Toys, equipment for sports and relaxation
• Medical devices (with the exception of all implanted and contaminated products)
• Measuring and monitoring instruments
• Dispensers

However, these categories are general and difficult to manage in practice. So, Recupel, with the agreement of the supervisory authorities, works with more detailed lists of electro-appliances for which it fulfils the stipulations of the take-back obligation.

• ISO9001
  ISO 9001 is the international standard for quality management systems. The ISO organisation is responsible for drafting and managing thousands of standards. Most of these standards are product-oriented, but several standards are directed at generic management systems. By far the most well-known is ISO 9001, which addresses the management system for quality.
• EFQM
  EFQM is a global non-profit membership foundation based in Brussels. With more than 500 members from 55 countries and 50 branches of industry, EFQM provides a unique platform for organisations that want to learn from each other in order to optimise their operations.
  In the world of ‘constant connection’, isolated efforts are not efficient. Success is determined by reinforcing business relationships and collaborations. EFQM plays an essential role in this: fostering a network for innovative organisations and business leaders to share knowledge, know-how and experiences.
  EFQM believes in a world in which European organisations work together and are recognised as the benchmark for sustainable economic growth.
  EFQM is the godfather of the EFQM Excellence Model, a proven network for success that helps more than 30,000 organisations worldwide pursue sustainable excellence.
• WEEE - Recupel is a member of the WEEE forum
  The WEEE Forum – WEEE stands for ‘waste electrical and electronic equipment’ – is a non-profit organisation of over 40 collection and processing systems in Europe. The forum was established in April 2002, preparatory to the introduction of EU directive 2002/96/EC concerning WEEE in February 2003. The WEEE Forum seeks to provide these organisations with a platform of responsible manufacturers or taking-back systems in order to stimulate ideas and to share practical experiences. In this way, they are striving towards optimal environmental preservation through proper management of electrical and electronic waste.