New online tool for manufacturers

Businesses in the electronics and electrical sector can now keep abreast of changes to environmental legislation thanks to a new registration tool from NetRegs - the free website offering practical advice to small businesses on their environmental obligations.

On the eve of major changes to environmental legislation affecting the sector, small businesses can register on NetRegs - set up by the UK’s environmental regulators - to receive free e-mail updates on developments affecting them.

The e-alerts will cover legislation such as the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive - obliging producers to pay for the treatment and recycling or recovery of goods - and the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive banning the production of new equipment containing more than agreed levels of certain hazardous substances. Businesses can also choose to receive more general updates on a range of environmental issues.

By ensuring they comply with environmental legislation, smaller electronics manufacturers can avoid the risk of prosecution and also reap significant commercial benefits in terms of cost savings and improved customer relations.
According to a recent SME-nvironment (2005) survey of over 5,000 UK small businesses, 86% were unable to name any environmental legislation, while almost half (47%) said that they wanted more help and advice on environmental issues.

To register for the e-alert service or for more information on the environmental legislation affecting the electronics sector, visit www.netregs.gov.uk.