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Christmas is a time for rejoicing, celebrating, meeting with family and friends, parties and generally having a good time. However, it can also be a bit “messy” with plenty waste packaging, food, decorations and, of course, old items that need to be discarded because someone has bought us the latest models.

Not surprisingly, there is perhaps more emphasis this year on the environmental effect of our festivities – about the impact are we having on our planet.

This is the topic of our newsletter. If your business is involved with the production, distribution or sale of any type of electrical or electronic equipment, then you are affected and you need to have appropriate systems in place by July 2007.

Don’t leave it too late, call us now on the number below to seek advice on what you need to do.

This is the last newsletter of the year, so may I extend to everyone very best wishes for Christmas and the New Year. And being in Health and Safety, it would be remiss of me not to point you to our newsletter articles about keeping safe at Christmas. The information applies as much to your home as in the office.

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Christmas is here with all its festivities, enjoyment, wonder and celebration. Our hope is that Christmas will prove to be a time of particular significance and blessing for you.

Perhaps for most families, Christmas is primarily a time for children eagerly opening presents to see if their wishes for the latest toys have been heard.

Of course we all like to receive presents and this is probably the most concentrated time of the year for buying all those new electrical and electronic gadgets we need for the home or perhaps just because we want them.

The question arises as to what happens to the old gadgets that have either broken or have been rendered obsolete by a newer, better model. Probably most people simply think of taking them to the local rubbish tip but that is no longer the preferred option - WEEE is coming.

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2006 (WEEE) were laid before parliament in December 2006 and they are scheduled to come into force between January and July 2007. "So what has that got to do with me?" you may ask.

It affects your business if you manufacture, import or sell any electrical or electronic equipment. Although it does not directly affect private householders, they will nonetheless be encouraged to discard or recycle such items in a more responsible way and it is incumbent on manufacturers and retailers to provide facilities where householders can return their discarded equipment free of charge.

Malcolm Wicks, Minister of State for Science and Innovation, put it succinctly when he addressed parliament about this issue:

"Electrical waste such as toasters, fridges and washing machines are a growing environmental problem here in the UK with over two million tonnes being dumped in landfill last year alone. There is currently no incentive for those that produce them to care about the lifecycle of their products. These regulations will mean they can no longer shirk this responsibility"

Malcolm makes reference to various domestic articles but the regulations apply just as much to computers, fax machines, copiers and the host of other equipment used by business.

In essence, the aim of the regulations is to:

• Educate people about the potential hazards of discarding electrical and electronic equipment in traditional landfill sites and inform them about the new facilities. Education will include suitable notices displayed on new goods, in shops and at local council rubbish tips.
  
  
• Allow for old items to be collected at the same time as delivering new goods. In addition, producers are required to set up a network of convenient collection points where consumers can deposit their old equipment free of charge.
  
  
• Set up formal schemes and arrangements for collecting, treating, recycling or, if possible, re-using discarded equipment.

By March 2007, producers will need to have joined a Producer Compliance Scheme and the full regulations will be in force by July 2007. This represents a postponement of the original implementation date by about 6 months to give time for producers and retailers to put appropriate systems in place.

Failure to comply could result in substantial fines so if your business is affected it would be prudent to use the few months grace to make appropriate preparations rather than ignore the need until the last minute. If you are unsure about what you need to do or the most efficient means of complying with the new regulations then you need to get in touch with us and arrange for a visit by one of our advisors.

Perhaps by next Christmas, we might all find that our gift buying experience is rather different from what it has been in the past.

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Keeping to the theme of waste products and their impact on the environment, can I draw your attention to the case of a construction company in Leeds that was found guilty of cutting corners when disposing of asbestos waste.

This was not a major tragedy and hopefully nobody will suffer any ill effects from it. Nevertheless the case illustrates that the government is serious about protecting the environment and is prepared to prosecute anyone who fails in their legal duty to dispose of waste materials in a responsible manner.

In a nutshell, the company removed asbestos from a demolition site when they were not licensed to do so. They failed to take all the necessary precautions and they then continued with the demolition work on a site that was potentially contaminated with asbestos fibres.

The company and its director were found guilty and together paid out a total of £39,000 in fines and costs.

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As has been said often enough, if there is one thing that is certain in life it is change, and further changes in health and safety law are scheduled to come into force in 2007.

Our aim is to alert you to the more extensive changes that will affect most of our readers so that you can make the necessary preparations in good time.

In 2007, we expect to see:

• Enforcement of the No Smoking Ban in all enclosed work places in England
• Extension of the Work at Height Regulations to cover climbing and caving activities
• Changes to Information, Packaging and Supply of Chemicals
• Additional classes of Biocidal Products
• Consolidation and revision of the Carriage of Dangerous Goods Regulations
• Consolidation and changes to Construction Legislation.

You won’t be affected by all these changes but many businesses will be affected by some. Now is the time to make your preparations.

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