Strategic issues - European union

The existing WEEE Directive has been in force since February 2003. The legislation provides for the creation of collection schemes where consumers return their used e-waste free of charge. The Commission also proposes improvements to the monitoring and reporting of chemical pollutants in water, as well as a mechanism to obtain better information on the concentrations of other pollutants that might need to be controlled in the future at an EU level. Close to three-quarters of Europeans think that the EU should propose additional measures to address water problems in Europe, according to a recent Eurobarometer survey. Citizens appear to be concerned about both water quantity and quality. The Commission considers that this amount is arbitrary, not linked to real take-back costs, and penalizes small operators. Individuals importing vehicles are also asked to contribute to the collection system, while the directive states that only car manufacturers and professional importers should be responsible.