EA clamps down on UK businesses: Law firm

The Environment Agency (EA) is to clamp down on businesses not adhering to laws introduced to deal with waste electrical equipment, warned law firm Hill Dickinson.

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive, which came into force in 2007, heralded new obligations on manufacturers and retailers, requiring them to be held responsible for end-of-life electrical equipment. This means all businesses have responsibility for ensuring the safe disposal of electrical equipment, said Hill Dickinson.

The Environment Agency has warned that there will be more prosecutions this year for failure to comply with the WEEE Directive.

Along with this new legislation, the Environmental Liability Directive is set to increase risks for businesses, said the firm.

Denise Dowen, a regulatory partner at the Manchester office of Hill Dickinson, said: “Many companies are failing to anticipate the impact on their businesses from this new legislation leaving them exposed to criminal penalties and substantial clean up costs.’