EPA Prosecutes Argos Limited

On the 8th May 2006 at Wexford District Court, the Environmental Protection Agency took a prosecution against Argos Limited, for its premises at Custom House Quay, Wexford in relation to offences under the Waste Management Acts 1996 – 2005, (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations (WEEE Regulations).

The summons related to three charges. Charge one, which related to catalogue pricing, was withdrawn by the Agency. The remaining two charges related to:

• Failure to display in its brochure, in addition to the retail price, the environmental management cost of specific items of electrical and electronic equipment, and
• Failure to fix and maintain a notice in a conspicuous position within one meter of the point of sale of the electrical equipment. The notice is required, in accordance with Article 16(12)(b)(ii) of the WEEE Regulations, to inform customers that the price includes a contribution to the Producer Recycling Fund and sets out the relevant environmental management cost.

The company pleaded guilty to the two charges and, on hearing details of the offences from an EPA inspector, Judge  ’Buachalla imposed a fine of €1,500 for the first charge only. The EPA’s costs of €10,000 were also awarded.

This prosecution was taken following a site inspection carried out by the Prevention Unit of the Office of Licensing & Guidance on 12 January 2006 and is the third prosecution since the WEEE Regulations came into force last August.

Failure by Producers or Distributors of EEE to comply with the requirements of the Regulations means that less WEEE (potentially hazardous waste) may be collected and thereby diverted from landfill. It also puts compliant operators at a competitive disadvantage and may result in others choosing not to comply with the Regulations.