ECOTIC took part in the public European debate regarding the draft of the European Regulation. 
The Regulation is meant to establish a common methodology for calculating the marketed EEE and the generated WEEE.
ECOTIC took part in the public European debate regarding the draft of the European Regulation that is meant to establish a common methodology for calculating the quantities of marketed EEE and generated WEEE. The debate was organized by the General Directorate for the Environment within the European Commission.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the UN University (UNU) - who elaborated the methodology of the Regulation - and members of organization from the field of WEEE: representatives of the environment ministries of member states, of implementation authorities (national registries, clearing house systems), representatives of producers organizations: DIGITALEUROPE, CECED, Lighting Europe, PV Cycle as well as other organizations like WEEE Forum, Reuse, EERA and others.
The Regulation is a consequence of Article 7 line 5 of Directive 2012/19 / EU and will set the calculation method for generated WEEE if the member states choose the national target of 85% of generated WEEE (starting with 2018, or 2021 for Romania) as an alternative to the target of 65% of marketed EEE starting with the same date.
UNU representatives presented the calculation tool of generated WEEE (excel sheet) that takes into account the following elements and variables:
• UNU Keys - framing EEE / DEEE in 54 categories with similar functions - with associated statistical average weights
• Statistical data on marketed EEE starting with 1980 until now (starting with 2005/2007 data from national registries can be introduced in the system)
• Statistical data on average WEEE disposal time (Life span = discarded habit)
Member states will be able to update the tool with data from the studies on life span and the national registries.
The UNU representatives mentioned that this is a statistical tool that is based on the European average and, like any statistic, it has its margin for error.
ECOTIC will work on a study on generated WEEE for the current year, using the UNU methodology; the "Life span" element specific to Romania will be present in the study. The study is part of the "Steps for WEEE" project, co-financed by Innovation Norway.