Context
The next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) proposal 2028-2034 includes a balanced package of new own resources that ensures adequate revenues for our priorities while minimising pressure on national public finances. This includes a new own resource based on non-collected e-waste which is expected to generate around €15 billion in annual revenue on average. Although e-waste data reported by Member States have improved in recent years, the Commission has identified room for further improvement in the quality and comparability of statistics on e-waste, including electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) placed on the market and waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) collection. Reliable and comparable e-waste data is essential to:
- Ensure the comparability of the own resource statements, to be submitted by Member States around mid-2030.
- Support evidence-based policymaking on circular economy regarding the recovery of secondary raw materials and critical raw materials present in e-waste.
- Resolving challenges in meeting EU requirements thanks to a thorough perspective on e-waste data and flows.
As part of the measures identified by the Commission to support Member States in improving the way they collect, manage and check e-waste data, the Technical Support Instrument (TSI) may provide targeted assistance to improve the quality and reliability of e-waste national statistics.
Legal Basis:
- Directive 2012/19/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2012 on WEEE, requiring Member States to collect and report to the Commission (ESTAT) data on EEE placed on the market and on WEEE collected (‘WEEE directive’).
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/699 of 18 April 2017, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2900 of 19 February 2019 and Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/2193 of 17 December 2019, laying down calculation methodologies and reporting formats for EEE placed on the market and WEEE collected.
Objectives
This project aims to support Member States in improving the accuracy, comparability, and reliability of e-waste statistics, and addressing any data gaps to ensure seamless implementation of the WEEE Directive and the proposed e-waste own-resource. To achieve this, the Commission offers technical support (TSI) to help Member States:
- Improve e-waste data quality for the proposed new own resource, delivering accurate, timely and verifiable statistics ahead of the first data transmissions – with any data gaps otherwise being addressed by ensuing inspections only.
- Enhance national expertise and data validation by identifying and mitigating data quality risks, including through advanced verification techniques.
- Support the circular economy and the recovery of secondary and critical raw materials enabling evidence-based policy making.
Proposed Support Measures
Support measures will be grouped into 5 components; each tailored to the needs of different beneficiary groups.
| Group of Measures | Key activities |
| Initial analytical report | Assess the current data sources, challenges to data quality, data assurance, and adjustment mechanisms regarding placing products on the market and reporting at national level |
| Data gaps and methodologies | Estimate data gaps and develop tools and methodologies to quantify informal e-waste flow (e.g. free-riders, online trade, B2B, underreporting) |
| National registers (IT component) | Create a unified data quality assurance methodology. Draft technical specifications for national producer registers to ensure they are aligned in scope with the European WEEE Registers Network. Explore expanding existing packaging registers. Develop technical specifications for IT tools to integrate Producer Responsibility Organizations reporting. Prepare documentation for data entry portals |
| Audit, verification capacity, and data assurance | Establish legal frameworks, third-party audit protocols, and digital reporting and verification protocols based on traceability practices. Provide technical training for inspectors, producers, and collectors |
| Exchange of experience | Exchange experiences, good practices, and lessons learned |
The initial analytical part would be required for all participating Member States to allow an understanding of the existing situation, while the following components may be tailored to specific national needs.
Why Join?
Participation in the project will help Member States improve the quality of e-waste statistics. High quality data is not only beneficial for the implementation of the e-waste own resource, but will also enable better policy making and support broader EU objectives, including on resource efficiency, environmental sustainability, and the transition towards a more circular and resilient economy.
By joining the project, Member States would receive tailored technical support to improve data collection methodologies, strengthen verification and audit systems, and address identified data gaps. Through common methodologies, training activities, and exchanges of best practices, the project is expected to generate long-term benefits, including enhanced administrative capacity and policymaking, greater cooperation and stronger synergies among Member States.
Contact
Reform and Investment Task Force (SG REFORM)
- Name
- Reform and Investment Task Force (SG REFORM)
- Organisation
- European Commission
- Website
- https://reforms-investments.ec.europa.eu/index_en
- SG-REFORM-TSI
ec [dot] europa [dot] eu - Postal address
Rue de la Loi 200
Brussels
Belgium