Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)

Background

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2013 (as amended) is the underpinning UK legislation.

• The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2013 | legislation.gov.uk

Consultation & Government Response

DAERA, working alongside DEFRA and the other devolved administrations launched a UK wide public consultation in December 2023.

A summary of the responses to this consultation and the Government response was published in 2024 and made available at Summary of responses and government response | gov.uk.

Legislative Reforms

In June 2025, the UKG, in agreement with the devolved governments, introduced The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (Amendment) Regulations 2025.

This amends the existing 2013 WEEE Regulations in two key areas:

1. Changes to the obligations attached to producers of vapes to ensure they pick up their fair share of the costs associated with collection and recycling of vapes
2. Extending producer obligations to Online Market Places to address non-compliance by their online sellers who do not have a UK presence.

Vapes

All vapes, including single use vapes, fall within scope of the UK Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations.

Retailers and internet sellers of vapes also have important obligations under the WEEE Regulations and from 1^st January 2024 retailers must take back used vapes from customers. Work has commenced across the UK to drive up compliance rates and raise public awareness of this option.

• Single use vape in-store takeback February 2024

Single Use (Disposable) Vape Ban

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has made a Statutory Rule entitled “The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024”.

• The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 | legislation.gov.uk

These Regulations seek to prohibit the supply, whether by sale or otherwise in the course of business, single-use vapes, and will come into force in Northern Ireland (and across the UK) on 1 June 2025. A copy of the legislation is available below.

Single Use (Disposable) Vape Ban (Amendment)

After the initial regulations were made in December 2024, a number of amendments were required to ensure the primary regulations are enforceable and apply fairly across Northern Ireland. These amending regulations came into force on 29 July 2025. A copy of the legislation is available below.

• Single Use Vapes Amendment Regs NI 2025
• The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 | legislation.gov.uk

Departmental Direction

The Department issued a Direction on 14 August 2025. This states that all single-use vapes that meet the description specified in the Regulations, are to be treated as waste and disposed of in accordance with the direction. The Direction can be found below.

• Direction to Dispose of Single Use Vapes

Guidance for Businesses

Guidance for businesses preparing for the ban on the sale and supply of single-use vapes from 1 June 2025 can be found below:

• Single-use vapes ban - GOV.UK
• NIEA Guidance on Single Use Vape Collection and treatment