Spain Tightens Regulations on Used Toner Cartridge Disposal

Spain Tightens Regulations on Used Toner Cartridge Disposal

According to the Association of Toner Remanufacturers (Asociace renovátorů tonerů, z.s.), a Czech organization specializing in toner and cartridge innovation, Spain has introduced stricter regulations on the classification and disposal of used toner cartridges, closing a loophole that previously allowed companies to evade recycling fees.

The updated measures, outlined in Royal Decree TED/1032/2024 mandate that all toner cartridges be treated as electronic waste under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive.

Previously, some importers exploited the European Waste Catalogue (LER) by classifying toner cartridges under waste codes intended for loose toner powder, thereby avoiding required environmental fees. The new classification ensures that all toner cartridges are processed according to harmonized system (HS) codes, aligning Spain with EU regulations and preventing improper disposal that contributes to long-term environmental harm. Additionally, the Spanish government has introduced a digital monitoring platform to enhance compliance and transparency in waste management.

As a Czech company, the Association of Toner Remanufacturers notes that a similar issue persists in the Czech Republic, where enforcement of existing waste regulations remains weak. While Czech law classifies all toner cartridges with chips as electronic waste, inspections have revealed that many foreign importers fail to register with the country’s collective waste management system. A review of ten selected importers found that only two had completed the mandatory registration. Data from the Czech waste management information system VISOH2 suggests that many importers continue to disregard recycling fees.

By implementing stricter oversight, Spain aims to recover lost environmental fees and prevent improper disposal practices.

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