Press release
ITACS have submitted angry comments from independent computer retailers as part of their response to the recast of EU directives concerning WEEE. ITACS have given to BERR evidence, information, comments and arguments collected from hundreds of retailers and other contributors collected over the last two years as part of the successful ITACS campaign to raise awareness of the injustices within the WEEE directives. BERR will be using that information to represent the UK in the WEEE recast consultation process which is currently taking place.
ITACS is delighted to note the EU Commission have recognised the claim from ITACS that the directives are unfair to small businesses. The commission have discovered, according to their own report, there is a "lack of a level playing field" and a "distortion of competition." It is important therefore that the Commission not only recognise the injustice but take action to redress the balance and provide a better level of equity within the marketplace.
Matthew Woolley, Chairman of ITACS says, "The directive is supposed to be about "producer pays" - it's not supposed to be about heavily taxing small businesses for the good practices they were already doing before the new directives. Large scale producers flout the regulations, looking for loopholes and are in effect being subsidised by a myriad of small businesses throughout the UK and of course Europe."
To ensure that proper notice is taken of the inequalities, ITACS today is launching a new campaign to raise awareness of the injustice within the current regulations and marketplace. ITACS will be presenting evidence and arguments over the weeks ahead to explain how WEEE can be reduced, red tape can be minimised, or how big business can pay it's fair share instead of exploiting loopholes.
There is an opportunity for change, and ITACS demands that UK and EU legislation is updated in an appropriate and fair manner for all business types - not just the large companies who have the finances and resources to shout the loudest.
ITACS would also like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to all of the supporters in our efforts over the last two years to get the regulations changed. Your time and efforts have not been in vain. The changes ITACS has petitioned and campaigned for can at long last effect change.
