WEEE--The One That Started It All.
WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) represents the EU Directive 2002/96/EC of January 27, 2003 on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).

"The purpose of this directive is, as a first priority, the prevention of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), and in addition, the reuse, recycling and other forms of recovery of such wastes so as to reduce the disposal of waste."

Essentially this means, do not throw waste in a landfill - - reuse or recycle 100% of the electronic and electrical equipment. Furthermore, the directive mandates manufacturers (known as 'producers' in the EU), will finance the reuse and recycling, and meet specific targets for this reuse or recycling. The directive also requires products be marked with the "crossed-out wheelie bin". This mark is actually illustrated in the directive.

The directive compels members of the EU to write and implement legislation which supports the directive. EU members had until 8/13/2005 to have this in place, but implementation of some portions of the directive has been delayed until 1/1/2006. The delayed part is the actual collection and recycling of WEEE. The original schedule of 8/13/02005 still holds for producer registration and product marking. Many EU members are well on schedule to implementation. Hopes and dreams of this all going away is wishful thinking. In reality, the environmental movement is shifting into high gear. And it's not just a European requirement -- China is striving to meet or beat the Europeans. California has on the books SB20 and SB50 on the books as well, requiring the recycling of EEE having displays larger than 4 inches. Numerous other state legislatures are working on their own versions.

We distribute Electrical and Electronic Equipment which falls within the scope of the WEEE Directive. Just about any product that uses electrical power to operate - - whether plug-in or with batteries - - is covered under this directive. Some of Mouser's inventory includes test equipment, soldering irons, heat guns, UPS, battery chargers, ESD testing equipment, solder pots, lighted magnifiers, and others.

At this time Mouser can not directly ship EEE products into the European Union (EU) or the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). We are not registered to distribute EEE in various EU countries and the EEE products that we distribute may not have proper manufacturer labeling to comply with Chinese law. If you are not shipping to the EU or PRC, there is no restriction on ordering EEE products from Mouser. If you are shipping to the EU or PRC and your end product includes EEE products, you will be responsible to comply with the Laws and Regulations of the country to which you are shipping.

2002/96/EC of January 27, 2003 on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. (RoHS)