The Environment Committee of the European Parliament has voted in favour of changes to the WEEE Directive.
This would mean that up to 85 per cent of WEEE should be collected by 2016. Depending on the category of WEEE, the MEPs wanted 70 to 85 per cent collected and 50 to 75 per cent recycled. There should also be a separate 5 per cent reuse target.
However, the European Council, which is made up of the governments of the EU member nations, wanted a 65 per cent target.
A plenary vote is planned for January 2012 in the European Parliament to vote on the proposals to allow negotiation with the Council.
MEPs also want to shift the burden of proof when it comes to exports of WEEE onto the exporter to ensure shipments to non-OECD countries contain only reusable goods and no waste.
