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How to Compare WEEE Compliance Schemes in the UK

All approved schemes keep you compliant, so the choice comes down to what actually differs between them. Here is where to find the list of approved schemes, what to compare and the questions to ask before you join.

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Scheme Scorecard

Score the Schemes on Your Shortlist

Every approved scheme takes on your obligation to finance the collection, treatment and recovery of waste electricals, and reports to the regulator for you. What differs is how each scheme does it. Add the schemes you are speaking to, mark each one against the same checks and print the result.

What to check
WERCS
Approved and on the registerAsk for the approval number and match it to the GOV.UK register.
WEE/KP3638PZ/SCH
Its own treatment facilityDoes it treat waste itself, or source evidence from other operators?
Own approved facility in Huddersfield
Clear pricingWhat the quote includes, what is charged separately and how next year is worked out.
Each element set out separately
Data checked before filingWho reviews your figures before they go to the regulator?
Reviewed with you before every return
A named contactA named person who knows your business, or a shared team you explain things to each time?
Named account manager
Collections and treatment togetherCan the same business collect and treat your waste electricals?
Own monitored fleet and facility
ScoreYes scores 2, partly scores 1.
Every check covered
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Approved Schemes

Where to Find the List of Approved WEEE Compliance Schemes

The regulators publish the list of approved WEEE compliance schemes on GOV.UK, as part of the WEEE public registers. It is the only list that confirms a scheme is approved, so start your shortlist there.

The register is a spreadsheet you can download and check against any scheme you are speaking to. If a scheme is not on it, it cannot register you as a producer. The list changes from time to time, so check the current version rather than relying on a figure quoted elsewhere.

The same GOV.UK page also publishes the register of EEE producers, so you can confirm a scheme's members are registered.

View the approved schemes register on GOV.UK

Approved producer compliance scheme

WEE/KP3638PZ/SCH

Every approved scheme has an approval number. Ask for it and match it to the register. This is ours.

SchemeWERCS
Run byWaste Experts
Treatment facilityHuddersfield
Facility permitWEE/ME0006ZT/ATF
Treatment Ownership

Schemes With Their Own Treatment Site

Some compliance schemes are run by a business that also operates an approved treatment facility. Others meet their obligations through treatment operators they contract with. Both routes are allowed, and both keep members compliant. The difference is in how close the scheme is to the work.

A scheme with its own treatment site

  1. Your waste electricals
  2. Collected by the same business
  3. Treated at its own approved facility
  4. Evidence from its own operation

A scheme with its own site can show where treatment happens, because it does the work itself rather than relying on third parties.

A scheme using contracted operators

  1. Your waste electricals
  2. Collection partner
  3. Contracted treatment operator
  4. Evidence from the operator

The scheme meets its obligations through treatment operators it contracts with.

WERCS is run by Waste Experts, which operates its own approved treatment facility in Huddersfield under permit WEE/ME0006ZT/ATF. The same business can collect and treat your waste electricals, which keeps paperwork in one place if you also need collections.

See waste collectionsAbout WERCS and Waste Experts
Before You Join

Questions to Ask Before You Join

Ask every scheme on your shortlist the same questions, in writing, so you can compare the answers side by side.

Copy All Questions

Approval and Evidence

  • What is your approval number?
  • Do you operate your own treatment facility, or where does your evidence come from?
  • How do you make sure there is enough evidence for all your members?

What the Quote Includes

  • Does the price cover registration, reporting and my share of collection and treatment costs?
  • What is charged separately?
  • How will next year's costs be worked out?

Who Handles My Account

  • Who checks my data before it is filed?
  • Will I have a named contact?
  • What support do you give if the regulator audits us?

Joining or switching for next year? Members join or move scheme by 15 November, and the scheme registers them with the regulator by 30 November. How switching works

About WERCS

How WERCS Works

WERCS offers cost-effective solutions that help B2C and B2B producers meet their environmental obligations, while maintaining the highest standards of compliance and sustainability.

We are run by Waste Experts, a Certified B Corporation that operates its own approved treatment facility. Every member has a named account manager, and we check your data before we file it with the regulator.

Want to know what membership would cost? A free desktop audit sets out exactly what your quote includes. Switching is easy, and we handle the move for you.

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Approved Scheme

Approval number WEE/KP3638PZ/SCH. We register every member with the regulator each year.

Own Treatment Facility

Waste Experts runs its approved treatment facility in Huddersfield, permit WEE/ME0006ZT/ATF.

Named Account Manager

One person who knows your business, your categories and your deadlines.

Data Checked Before Filing

We review your figures with you before every return goes to the regulator.

126+ Scheme Members

Producers of all sizes trust WERCS, backed by more than 21 years of Waste Experts experience.

FAQs

Comparison Questions

Comparing Schemes Now?

Speak to the WERCS team on 0845 643 0304 or email [email protected]

Where can I find a list of WEEE compliance schemes in the UK?

The regulators publish the list of approved WEEE compliance schemes on GOV.UK as part of the WEEE public registers. It is the only list that confirms a scheme is approved. Download the current version from GOV.UK, as it is updated during the year.

Do all approved compliance schemes keep me compliant?

Yes. All approved schemes keep you compliant. Every approved scheme takes on your obligation to finance the collection, treatment and recovery of waste electricals and reports to the regulator for you. What differs is treatment ownership, pricing transparency, account handling and audit support.

What should I compare between WEEE compliance schemes?

Check the scheme is on the current GOV.UK register, where its evidence comes from, what its quote includes, whether your data is checked before filing, what audit support you get and who you deal with day to day.

How do I compare the cost of WEEE compliance schemes?

Every scheme charges fees for its services, so ask each one what its quote includes: registration, reporting and your share of collection and treatment costs, plus anything charged separately and how next year's costs are worked out. For a WERCS quote, book a free desktop audit.

When can I join or switch WEEE compliance scheme?

Join or switch by 15 November for the next compliance year. Your scheme then registers you with the regulator by 30 November. If you first place equipment on the UK market after 15 November, you must join a scheme within 28 days.

Do I have to join a scheme if I place under 5 tonnes a year?

No. If you place under 5 tonnes of electrical and electronic equipment a year, you can register direct with your regulator as a small producer by 31 January. You can still choose to join a scheme so registration and reporting are handled for you.

Does it matter if a scheme has its own treatment site?

Both routes keep members compliant. A scheme run by a business with its own approved treatment facility can show where treatment happens and handle collections and treatment together. WERCS is run by Waste Experts, which operates its own approved treatment facility in Huddersfield.

What will a compliance scheme need from me?

Information about your business and the amount of electrical and electronic equipment you place on the UK market, by category and split into household and non-household, when the scheme asks for it. The scheme then files the returns with the regulator.

Put WERCS on Your Shortlist

A free desktop audit confirms your obligations and sets out exactly what WERCS membership would include and cost. No commitment.

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Or call 0845 643 0304 or email [email protected]