The Commission for Protection of Competition continues its active work on the sector inquiry into the competitive environment of the waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) management market. The CPC has sent questionnaires to the national competition authorities of the EU Member States in order to gather detailed information and examine practices regarding their legal regulations for electronic waste management and the factors affecting competition in the sector, the Commission announced on its website.
The Commission launched the sector inquiry following a preliminary investigation initiated by an alert from the Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association. Given the significance of the sector for the economy and the environment, the Commission is examining the entire supply chain – from the placing of electrical and electronic equipment on the market to waste collection, recycling, and recovery activities. Within the scope of the inquiry, market information has been gathered and is currently being analyzed, along with data from the Ministry of Environment and Water and the Bulgarian Recycling Association.
Through the European Competition Network, the CPC has requested detailed information from the national competition authorities regarding the legal and institutional framework governing WEEE management in their respective countries. Data has also been requested on the responsibilities of the competent institutions and recovery organizations, as well as the mechanisms for collecting, administering, or applying product fees. Furthermore, data was requested concerning the interaction between manufacturers/importers, collective scheme organizations, individual systems, recovery organizations, recycling enterprises, and the competent authorities.
The Commission also requires information on how prices or fees for WEEE management services are determined, what applicable product or environmental fees are collected by the competent authority, and the methodology used to calculate these fees.
Data has also been requested on all factors that may affect competition within the waste management system, such as barriers to entry or expansion, market concentrations or market practices, contractual agreements with manufacturers/importers, coordinated pricing, exclusive agreements, or information sharing among market participants.
Based on the results of the sector inquiry, the necessary follow-up measures to restore or promote effective competition in the sector will be assessed.
Source: CPC
