ECOTIC took part in a public debate at European level on the draft European Regulation which aims to establish a common methodology for calculating the amount of EEE placed on the market and the WEEE generated. The debate was organized by the Directorate-General for the Environment of the European Commission. 
The meeting was attended by representatives of the United Nations University (UNU), who developed the methodology included in the regulation, members of organizations in the field of WEEE: representatives of the ministries of environment of the Member States, representatives of the implementing authorities (national registers, systems clearing house), representatives of the producer organizations: DIGITALEUROPE, CECED, Lighting Europe, PV Cycle as well as other organizations such as WEEE Forum, Reuse, EERA and others.
The regulation will appear as a result of article 7 par. 5 of Directive 2012/19 / EU and will regulate the calculation method of WEEE generated in case the Member State opts for the national target of 85% of WEEE generated (from 2018, and in Romania from 2021) as an alternative to the target of 65% from EEE launched on the same date.
The ones from UNU presented the WEEE calculation tool generated (excel file) which takes into account the following elements and variables:
- UNU Keys - classification of EEE / WEEE in 54 categories with similar functions - where they associated statistical average weights
- EEE statistical data placed on the market from 1980 to the present (from 2005/2007 data from national registers can be entered)
- Statistical data on the average period of WEEE disposal (Life span = descarded habit)
Member States will be able to update the instrument with data from studies on "Life span" and those in national registers.
UNU representatives mentioned that we are talking about a statistical tool that is currently being developed as a European average and, like any statistic, involves margins of error.
ECOTIC will develop a study of WEEE generated this year, using the methodology of UNU, which will find the element "Life span" specific to Romania. The study is part of the "Steps for WEEE" project co-financed by Innovation Norway.