This handbook is a comprehensive guide addressing the growing global challenge of managing Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). Over six core chapters, the document outlines the key principles, standards, and tools needed to establish effective conformity assessment schemes (CAS) for the environmentally sound treatment of WEEE or e-waste.
With a focus on both environmental protection and resource efficiency, the handbook emphasizes the dual nature of WEEE as a source of valuable secondary raw materials and hazardous substances. It introduces the technical and organizational foundations of e-waste management, covering the entire value chain, from collection and manual dismantling to advanced processing and final recovery. International and national standards, especially in countries of the Global South, are analyzed in detail, alongside practical insights into existing schemes.
A major portion of the publication is dedicated to the audit process, offering clear guidance on planning, conducting, and following up on audits of WEEE operators. It explains audit techniques, documentation protocols, and how to assess compliance using critical and minor deviation categories. In addition, it outlines auditor training plans and codes of conduct to ensure consistency and impartiality across assessments.
This handbook offers a replicable system for evaluating compliance with WEEE treatment standards and supports efforts to align recycling practices with environmental, health, and material recovery goals. The Handbook aims to be a valuable resource for regulators, producer responsibility organizations (PROs), recyclers, auditors, and international development practitioners.
