Guidance

Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) collection: code of practice

How a designated collection facility (DCF) must manage its separately collected household WEEE.

Documents

Details

DCFs and producer compliance schemes (PCSs) have a responsibility to maximise the separate collection of WEEE. This code sets out:

  • why it exists and who it applies to
  • minimum operational standards
  • guidance on what the contract must include
  • enforcement action for non compliance

You must follow the rules in this code to meet the conditions of your DCF and PCS approval.

Updates to this page

Published 15 January 2016
Last updated 18 September 2025 show all updates
  1. Updated the WEEE collection streams: there are new streams for photovoltaic panels (E) and vapes and electronic cigarettes (F). All other WEEE has been reordered to the end of the list (G). Made other updates across the page. ‘DCF operator responsibilities’: added to the list of requirements, clarified where to collect different streams, and clarified that DCFs should not receive income if they contract a PCS. ‘Third party arrangements’: clarified what the local authority retains responsibility for. ‘DCF: site practice’: outlined that small mixed WEEE and batteries should be placed close together, and clarified items DCF operators must pay for.

  2. Updated document as approvals are managed by Defra, not BIS.

  3. First published.

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