Over half of global manufacturers of electronic and electrical equipment do not know how to comply with impending European Union recycling and environmental initiatives, a survey has claimed.
Any company that manufacturers in, or exports to, the European Union will be required to comply with the Waste from Electronic and Electrical Equipment directive by August 2005, and the Reduction of Hazardous Substances directive by February 2006.
According to the online poll from US compliance testing firm TUV Rheinland, most firms are ignorant of how their responsibilities will increase when the schemes come into force.
The report states that this lack of understanding presents a “serious situation” for makers of such products.
Any manufacturer that fails to comply will have its products banned from sale in EU member countries, the study warned.
From VUNet