Retailer/Distributor Information

A distributor is known as the person who provides the item on a commercial basis to a person who is going to use it (e.g. an end user). A distributor is often known as a retailer, this includes online retailers, also known as distance or internet sellers.

Producers, distributors and consumers of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) all have a role to play in the environmentally sound management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). If you are a retailer of EEE and/or batteries there are certain steps you must take in order to be compliant with the regulations.

Summary of retailer obligations for EEE and batteries:


Retailer obligation	WEEE	Batteries
Who is obliged?	Any retailer selling EEE, including supermarkets, petrol stations, corner shops and electrical stores.	A retailer who sells batteries; portable automotive or industrial. Also retailers selling EEE with a battery incorporated into or accompanying the product is also a battery retailer (e.g. computers, toys and watched etc.)
Registration with local authority or approved compliance scheme.	Yes - required.	Yes - required but not if retailer only sells portable batteries (AA, AAA, Cell C, Cell D etc.)
Distribute from registered producer supply chain.	Yes - check invoices issued from supplier or check out producer listing at: www.weeeregister.ie	Yes - check invoices issued from supplier or check out producer listing at: www.weeeregister.ie
Display visible environmental management costs (vEMC's), where applicable.	No - Retailers should no longer display vEMC's (effective since 13 February 2013).	No- not applicable.
Take back	Yes- retailers must provide take back of WEEE from private householders free of charge. Take-back is on a one-for-one basis and the appliance being returned must be of similar type or have performed the same function as the new item purchased.	Yes - retailers are required to take back waste batteries from members of the public free of charge. Take-back is on a one for zero basis, (no purchase necessary), however a retailer is not obligated to take back waste batteries that are leaking.
Notices	Yes – retailers must display relevant notices.	Yes – retailers must display relevant notices.
Consumer Information	Yes - this obligation can be met by providing the information in the instructions for use or on a leaflet provided at the point of sale.	Yes- this obligation can be met by providing the information in the instructions for use or on a leaflet provided at the point of sale. PRF's do not apply to batteries.
Storage, transport and disposal	Yes - retailers are obliged to dispose of, store and transport WEEE as required by the Regulations.	Yes - retailers are obliged to dispose of, store and transport waste batteries as required by the Regulations.