As you may be aware, membership of the current Phase 6 of the DTS (Distributor Take-Back Scheme, take-e-way reported), which producers of B2C electrical products in the UK can join to fulfill their take-back obligation towards UK end-users, ended on December 31, 2023.
take-e-way has now been informed by the DTS that Phase 7, which runs from 01/01/2024 to 31/12/2026 (for 3 years), has been approved with some important changes. Current DTS members will be given until March 31, 2024 to either rejoin the DTS and/or set up their own take-back schemes.
Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and OPS&S (Office for Product Safety & Standards) confirm that all current Phase 6 members will be considered DTS members until Phase 7 registration is possible.
The criteria for Phase 7 remain the same as for Phase 6, i.e. retailers selling more than £100,000 worth of electrical goods in a UK store will no longer be able to participate in the DTS and will have to offer their own take-back.
Please note that vapes are also now exempt from the DTS, which means that all stores selling vapes are now required to offer in-store take-back to customers purchasing vapes in accordance with the WEEE Regulations. This applies regardless of their turnover relating to vape sales. This does not prevent these stores from joining the DTS in respect of other sales of electrical goods if they fall below the £100,000 threshold for membership.
Subject to the above DTS exclusion for vapes, manufacturers can join Phase 7, i.e. membership until Dec. 31, 2026, if they have at least one physical store and sell less than 100,000 pounds per year worth of electrical equipment (EEE), or if they are an online-only or distance seller, regardless of size.
take-e-way will be happy to answer your questions about WEEE, the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act, the Batteries Act, the Packaging Act/packaging subject to system participation and the EPR on +49/40/750687-0 or beratung@take-e-way.de and will help you with registration/licensing.
For information on our international compliance services in connection with the placing on the market of electronic devices, batteries/rechargeable batteries and packaged products or packaging, please click here: https://www.take-e-way.com/international-compliance/
