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Frequently Asked Questions
What is WEEE?
WEEE stands for Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment; that is, everything we use such as: electric toothbrushes, dryers, washing machines, refrigerators, freezers, etc. These items become WEEE once they break down and stop working.
What is the WEEE Fee, more commonly known as the Ecotax?
This fee has been in force in Spain since 2005 and its aim is:
To control the generation of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, as well as to ensure its proper management.
Spanish law dictates that the responsibility for WEEE management lies in producers (whether these be manufacturers, distributors, or importers). This can be through adherence to a Collective Extended Producer Responsibility System (SCRAP) or the establishment of an individual system.
This means that consumers pay for subsequent management when they buy any product.
To control the generation of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, as well as to ensure its proper management.
Spanish law dictates that the responsibility for WEEE management lies in producers (whether these be manufacturers, distributors, or importers). This can be through adherence to a Collective Extended Producer Responsibility System (SCRAP) or the establishment of an individual system.
This means that consumers pay for subsequent management when they buy any product.
Are “components” included within the scope of Royal Decree 110/2015 on WEEE?
Components are articles or products that, when assembled, allow a device to function properly.
If the components are placed on the market separately for the manufacture and/or repair of devices, they fall outside the scope of the Royal Decree -- unless they have an independent function in and of themselves.
If the components are placed on the market separately for the manufacture and/or repair of devices, they fall outside the scope of the Royal Decree -- unless they have an independent function in and of themselves.
Are antennas and cables included within the scope of Royal Decree 110/2015 on WEEE?
Antennas used for the transfer of electromagnetic fields comply with the definition of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) and, therefore, said Royal Decree is applicable thereto.
Cables used to transfer electrical currents and electromagnetic feels also comply with the definition of EEE, provided that they are fitted with connectors, or the connection parts needed to link up with other Electrical and Electronic Equipment and are supplied individually to the end user (not forming part of another EEE, since in that case they would be considered components and therefore excluded).
Data, audio, voice, and video transmission cables (and, in general, all telecommunications cables) do not comply with the definition of EEE and, therefore, are not considered EEE.
Electrical cables supplied to installers which are intended to be permanently installed in buildings under construction as part of large-scale fixed installations are excluded from application of Royal Decree 110/2015.
Cables used to transfer electrical currents and electromagnetic feels also comply with the definition of EEE, provided that they are fitted with connectors, or the connection parts needed to link up with other Electrical and Electronic Equipment and are supplied individually to the end user (not forming part of another EEE, since in that case they would be considered components and therefore excluded).
Data, audio, voice, and video transmission cables (and, in general, all telecommunications cables) do not comply with the definition of EEE and, therefore, are not considered EEE.
Electrical cables supplied to installers which are intended to be permanently installed in buildings under construction as part of large-scale fixed installations are excluded from application of Royal Decree 110/2015.
Are printer cartridges considered Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEEs)?
It depends on the type of printer cartridge.
Printer cartridges containing electrical parts and requiring electric current or electromagnetic fields to function properly fall under the WEEE Royal Decree and are therefore considered EEE.
Print cartridges consisting simply of a tank and ink, without any electrical parts, do not fall under the WEEE Royal Decree.
Printer cartridges containing electrical parts and requiring electric current or electromagnetic fields to function properly fall under the WEEE Royal Decree and are therefore considered EEE.
Print cartridges consisting simply of a tank and ink, without any electrical parts, do not fall under the WEEE Royal Decree.
Are power inverters included within the scope of Royal Decree 110/2015 on WEEE?
A power inverter is an electrical device that changes direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) and which is commonly used to provide alternating current (AC) power from direct current (DC) sources at the desired magnitude and frequency for the electric grid or for an isolated facility.
An example of this type of power inverters are those used in photovoltaic installations that are responsible for transmitting electrical energy from the junction box to the grid, or the power inverters used to charge batteries and accumulators. These inverters do meet the definition of Electrical and Electronic Equipment.
However, power inverters are not included under Royal Decree when they are designed and placed on the market as a component that will be integrated into another device.
An example of this type of power inverters are those used in photovoltaic installations that are responsible for transmitting electrical energy from the junction box to the grid, or the power inverters used to charge batteries and accumulators. These inverters do meet the definition of Electrical and Electronic Equipment.
However, power inverters are not included under Royal Decree when they are designed and placed on the market as a component that will be integrated into another device.
Are filament bulbs included within the scope of Royal Decree 110/2015 on WEEE?
Filament bulbs continue to be excluded from the extended scope of Royal Decree 110/2015.
This exclusion was imposed in 2002 by the “old WEEE Directive;” thus, they do not fall under the Royal Decree.
This exclusion was imposed in 2002 by the “old WEEE Directive;” thus, they do not fall under the Royal Decree.
Are electric garage door motors included within the scope of Royal Decree 110/2015 on WEEE?
An electric motor that automatically opens and closes a door meets the definition for Electrical and Electronic Equipment even if it is installed in another device that the Royal Decree is not applicable to (garage door). It is included under “Electrical and Electronic Tools".
Are all medical devices included within the scope of Royal Decree 110/2015 on WEEE?
Medical electrical and electronic equipment is included with some exceptions.
Exclusion from Royal Decree 110/2015 only applies to medical equipment (medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices) when such devices are expected to be infectious before the end of the life cycle.
Medical devices implantable in humans are also excluded.
Example of inclusion: a monitoring screen that has no contact with the patient.
Examples of exclusion: Single-use medical equipment (electrodes used to monitor the health status of a baby during birth, etc.).
Exclusion from Royal Decree 110/2015 only applies to medical equipment (medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices) when such devices are expected to be infectious before the end of the life cycle.
Medical devices implantable in humans are also excluded.
Example of inclusion: a monitoring screen that has no contact with the patient.
Examples of exclusion: Single-use medical equipment (electrodes used to monitor the health status of a baby during birth, etc.).
Is equipment for the generation of electric current or electromagnetic fields considered to be Electrical and Electronic Equipment?
Electricity generators fall under the Royal Decree, including power generators that use combustion, wind, water, solar energy, and/or other means.
The aim is not to include a complete power plant, but simply the equipment meant for the generation of electric current or electromagnetic fields.
The aim is not to include a complete power plant, but simply the equipment meant for the generation of electric current or electromagnetic fields.