What is WEEE?

The label means that the product should not be thrown away as unsorted waste, but should be diverted for separate collection and recycling. The WEEE label must be visible on all electrical and electronic equipment placed on the EU market.

With a few exceptions, most electrical and electronic equipment sold in the EU must be labelled with a specific label. The WEEE label is mandatory for the following product categories:

• heat exchange equipment, such as refrigerators and air conditioners
• screens, monitors and equipment with screens with a surface area greater than 100 cm²
• lamps
• larger equipment (any external dimension greater than 50 cm), e.g. washing machines, photocopiers, roof-mounted solar panels
• smaller equipment (external dimension not exceeding 50 cm), such as vacuum cleaners, smoke detectors, watches and wristwatches
• small telecommunications and computer equipment (no external dimension greater than 50 cm)

Electrical and electronic equipment must have:

• a sign with a crossed-out wheeled bin
• an identifying mark, such as a trade name or brand name

If the product was placed on the market after 13 August 2005, it may:

• add a line under the crossed-out wheeled bin sign; or
• indicate the date on which the product was placed on the market

The mark must be printed on the product itself and must be permanent, clearly visible and legible. The mark may be printed on the packaging, the instructions or the warranty card and not on the product itself only if the product is too small or if the functionality of the product is affected by the mark.