Compliance with EU WEEE¹ and RoHS Directives
Microsoft supports the proper recycling, recovery, and handling of waste associated with electronics. At a minimum, we implement strict policies to ensure that our products and packaging fully comply with the requirements of each government’s jurisdiction in which we do business. This includes compliance with the WEEE and RoHS Directives issued by the European Union (EU). In 2006, Microsoft funded the direct recovery and recycling of over 1.3 million kgs of consumer electrical and electronic goods from European households. This represents approximately 37% of our year 2000 hardware sales volume in Europe.
Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
As of 13 August 2005, the EU requires, under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive 2002/96/EC, that manufacturers and/or distributors of Electronic and/or Electrical Equipment manage and pay for the collection and further handling of WEEE products, as well as provide WEEE-related information to their customers.
Microsoft has taken the following approach to complying with this Directive:
Microsoft will, where applicable, register with national authorities in accordance with the requirements of each Member State and the EU for Microsoft products that are subject to the WEEE Directive.
Microsoft works cooperatively with treatment facilities and governmental agencies to provide information that enables the successful treatment of Microsoft WEEE products.
Microsoft will provide information to reuse centres, treatment and recycling facilities regarding new Microsoft electrical and electronic equipment as required by each Member State and the WEEE Directive. For more information, please contact Microsoft at weee@microsoft.com.
Microsoft WEEE products will be designed with recycling, reuse and waste management as a consideration.
Microsoft WEEE products will be labelled or stamped with the WEEE marking as shown below in accordance with European Standard EN 50419.
Important information for private household (or similar) users:
WEEE from private households means WEEE that comes from private households as well as commercial, industrial, institutional, and other sources that, because of its nature and quantity, is similar to that from private households.
The presence of the WEEE label or stamp (seen above) indicates members and guests of private households are responsible for properly disposing of WEEE products. Marked products must not be disposed as a part of household waste. WEEE labelled products must be kept separate and returned to a designated collection point for their dismantling, recycling, and/or reuse. In some cases, the WEEE labelled product can be returned to the place of purchase.
The proper disposal of WEEE products by households will conserve natural resources (through re-use and recycling) and protect environmental and human health through proper disposal.
In some cases there are punitive actions that your city, municipality, or Member State can take for not properly disposing of WEEE products.
For more information regarding options for disposal of WEEE products, please contact your local city office, municipality office, retail store where you purchased the Microsoft WEEE product and/or your waste management service by telephone, or visit your country’s government website by following the appropriate link below:
Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS)
The EU RoHS Directive restricts the use of certain hazardous substances in products. Microsoft fully complied with RoHS as of its effective date, 1 July 2006.
Microsoft requires its suppliers through our specifications to conduct routine product material testing and to submit declarations of compliance with RoHS and other applicable specifications. Microsoft audits suppliers and manufacturers to evaluate product compliance with our specifications through the use of independent and certified third-party test laboratories. Based on these measures and practices and our supplier's declarations of conformity, Microsoft considers our products compliant with the RoHS Directive and other requirements that restrict hazardous substances in our products.
Packaging
With respect to packaging, Microsoft designs its hardware and software packaging to reduce environmental impact. This includes compliance with the European Union’s Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste (94/62/EC of 20 December 1994, as amended by 2004/12/EC) and the CEN packaging standards (2005/C 44/13). Through policies, and in close relationship with partners and suppliers, we use a system of specifications, testing, and verification to comply with applicable laws and regulations, including requirements restricting the use of certain hazardous substances, specifying recyclable material content, and restricting the use of certain wood products.