Excerpt from WEEE-Directive (ANNEX II)

Selective treatment for materials and components of waste electrical and electronic equipment in accordance with Article 6(1)

1. As a minimum the following substances, preparations and components have to be removed from any separately collected WEEE:
   • polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) containing capacitors in accordance with Council Directive 96/59/EC of 16 September 1996 on the disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls and polychlorinated terphenyls (PCB/PCT) ⁽¹⁾
   • mercury containing components, such as switches or backlighting lamps
   • batteries
   • printed circuit boards of mobile phones generally, and of other devices if the surface of the printed circuit board is greater than 10 square centimetres
   • toner cartridges, liquid and pasty, as well as colour toner
   • plastic containing brominated flame retardants
   • asbestos waste and components which contain asbestos
   • cathode ray tubes
   • chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) or hydrofluorocarbons (HFC), hydrocarbons (HC)
   • gas discharge lamps
   • liquid crystal displays (together with their casing where appropriate) of a surface greater than 100 square centimetres and all those back-lighted with gas discharge lamps
   • external electric cables
   • components containing refractory ceramic fibres as described in Commission Directive 97/69/EC of 5 December 1997 adapting to technical progress Council Directive 67/548/EEC relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances ⁽²⁾
   • components containing radioactive substances with the exception of components that are below the exemption thresholds set in Article 3 of and Annex I to Council Directive 96/29/Euratom of 13 May 1996 laying down basic safety standards for the protection of the health of workers and the general public against the dangers arising from ionising radiation ⁽³⁾
   • electrolyte capacitors containing substances of concern (height > 25 mm, diameter > 25 mm or proportionately similar volume)
   These substances, preparations and components shall be disposed of or recovered in compliance with Article 4 of Council Directive 75/442/EEC.
2. The following components of WEEE that is separately collected have to be treated as indicated:
   • cathode ray tubes: The fluorescent coating has to be removed
   • equipment containing gases that are ozone depleting or have a global warming potential (GWP) above 15, such as those contained in foams and refrigeration circuits: the gases must be properly extracted and properly treated. Ozone-depleting gases must be treated in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 2037/2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 June 2000 on substances that deplete the ozone layer ⁽⁴⁾
   • gas discharge lamps: The mercury shall be removed
3. Taking into account environmental considerations and the desirability of reuse and recycling, paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be applied in such a way that environmentally-sound reuse and recycling of components or whole appliances is not hindered.
4. Within the procedure referred to in Article 14(2), the Commission shall evaluate as a matter of priority whether the entries regarding:
   • printed circuit boards for mobile phones, and
   • liquid crystal displays
   are to be amended.

⁽¹⁾ OJ L 243, 24.9.1996, p. 31.
⁽²⁾ OJ L 343, 13.12.1997, p. 19.
⁽³⁾ OJ L 159, 29.6.1996, p. 1.
⁽⁴⁾ OJ L 244, 29.9.2000, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2039/2000 (OJ L 244, 29.9.2000, p. 26).