FAQs

EEE is placed on the market when it is available in Malta for the first time whether in return for payment or free of charge. The supply of any product (EEE) for distribution or consumption is considered the point at which the EEE is made available on the national market.

A ‘producer’ is any natural or legal person who:

• Manufactures EEE in Malta and sells it in Malta; or
• Resells EEE in Malta under his own name; or
• Imports EEE into Malta on a professional basis; or
• Sells EEE by means of distance communications from another EU Member State or a third country

A legal person who imports EEE for his/her own use is considered to be a producer of EEE.

If the imported EEE is consumed or used by the natural person for himself/herself on a professional basis (i.e. relating to his trade, business, craft or profession) then he/she is considered to be a producer of EEE.

Otherwise, if the imported EEE is consumed or used by the natural person for himself/herself on a non-professional basis (i.e. not relating to his trade, business, craft or profession) then s/he is not considered to be a producer of EEE.

There are several steps a producer needs to take to be compliant with the regulations. We have several documents which provide more detail on this but a non-exhaustive list is below:

• Register with an approved Waste Management Scheme or with the Environment and Resources Authority directly.
• Declare the tonnages of EEE you place on the market of Malta and Gozo.
• Ensure responsibilities in relation to funding WEEE recovery are met
• Offering take back of WEEE- collection of very small WEEE free of charge to end-users, with no obligations for the latter to buy EEE of any equivalent type.

Yes. In accordance with point (d) of the definition of ‘producer’ laid down in regulation 3 of the WEEE regulations, in cases where a company established in another Member state or a Third Country sells EEE directly to an end-user located in Malta by means of distance communication, this company is considered to be a producer of EEE and must comply with the requirements of the WEEE regulations.

When supplying a new product, a ‘producer’ is responsible for ensuring that any WEEE from private households can be returned free of charge at their warehouse/ retail shop on a one to one basis as long as the equipment being purchased is of equivalent type and it fulfils the same functions.

The ‘producer’ can make use of take back system WEEE Malta operate as it is the ‘producer’ legal obligation to operate this. They must contact WEEE Malta or make use of the Request a Delivery to make use of this system.

To join WEEE Malta one can simply apply from out Join us Page.

• When buying a new product you can leave or ask the retail shop to take back your old appliance. The retailer or producer have the legal obligation to accept your old appliance at least free of charge.
• You can also discard of any small E-waste from several Local Councils in our WEEE trolley. You can find your closest WEEE Trolley Location from the page WEEE Trolley.
• You can make use of the free service of the Bulky Refuse from the Local Councils. WEEE Malta does not operate this system thus, contact your local council for further information.
• For further information you can contact WEEE Malta on 21496965/6.

The improper management of electrical and electronic appliances poses many risks to the environment and human health. If we handle an electrical appliance like an old metal object, then the hazardous substances it contains will be released to the environment and by extension to us all. Thus waste electric and electronic equipment shall be deposited at accredited facilities whom in return must ascertain that all the material is treated up to standards imposed both by the local and European legislation.

Any Producer/Importer/Distance Seller selling EEE products in Malta is legally obliged to finance the collection, treatment and recycling of products when they reach the end of their lives. They do it through Extended Producer Responsibility Schemes that take over their legal obligation to reach the collection, recovery and recycling targets imposed by the WEEE Directive as transposed in the Maltese legislation under Legal Notices 204.14 and 232.15.