Royal Decree Stops New Build Cartridges Entering Spain

Royal Decree Stops New Build Cartridges Entering Spain

The European Toner and Inkjet Remanufacturers Association (ETIRA) is celebrating a change to Spanish rules which meant a loophole has been closed that allowed the importing of certain new-build cartridges.

ETIRA and the European Recycling Platform had lobbied Spain’s Environment ministry and Customs authorities seeking royal assent to have a raft of rule changes around the management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and batteries.

The royal decree modifies the current WEEE regulations, meaning all importers of products from “third countries” must enter their Integrated Industrial Registry number, (WEEE registration number) when clearing imports into Spain. A “third country” is a country outside of the 27 members of the European Union and the 3 countries of the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway). A royal decree-law is a legal rule having the force of law in the Spanish legal system. The name of “Royal” is given because it has state rank and it is the King who is responsible for sanctioning and ordering the publication and compliance of the rule.

This means the importation of all “ready-to-use” printer cartridges (which are considered to be electrical and electronic equipment) are subject to checks by the Spanish authorities who will need to verify the correct compliance with the registration obligations in the Integrated Industrial Registry (WEEE registration) by the producers, importers or authorised representatives.

The results of the controls are carried out prior to importation and will then be transferred to the competent authorities for market surveillance.

This change closes a loophole where printer consumables could be imported, but the importer was not required to disclose the WEEE registration details. Unregistered importers would then avoid the cost of providing a WEEE collection programme and paying the appropriate costs of WEEE compliance.

Javier Martinez (pictured, right, above), President of ETIRA, the European Toner and Inkjet Remanufacturers Association said: “This is excellent news for Spanish remanufacturers and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) who have historically faced the challenge of competing with low-cost imports achieved by those not contributing to the costs of WEEE, but at the same time have had to contribute to the correct processing of WEEE.

“The rule change was formulated at a meeting with ETIRA, the European Recycling Platform, Spain’s Environment ministry and Customs authorities,” Martinez added.

ETIRA, formed in 2003, is a Belgian registered non-profit organisation that represents the interests of the inkjet and toner cartridge remanufacturers and related service providers and is the recognised industry body for all topics affecting the industry. ETIRA provides many services to its members: legal and regulatory advice, public relations, environmental impacts, quality and standardisation forums and member contact platforms. ETIRA also manages a remanufacturing Code of Conduct and the ticked-R collective mark assuring consumers of less expensive but 100% environment-friendly remanufactured cartridges.

Contacts: Secretary General: Vincent van Dijk (pictured), info@etira.org, Tel: + 31-6-414-614-63

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