Legislation

Recycling is based on the legislation

The operations of SERTY, established in 2000, are based on the national WEEE decree, and with its entry into effect, the need for the service among equipment-manufacturers and importers. The Government Decree on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (Valtioneuvoston asetus sähkö- ja elektroniikkalaiteromusta), 852/2004, also known as the WEEE decree, took effect on 13 August 2005. With this decree, responsibility for the recycling and reuse of waste electric and electronic material was transferred to the producers and manufacturers.

Producer responsibility applies to both consumer products (B2C) and business products (B2B).

Producer responsibility applies to nearly all electronic appliances (require an electric current, battery, or solar energy in order to operate), such as refrigeration devices, television sets, household appliances, computers, telephones, and lamps. This responsibility concerns manufacturers and importers of electric and electronic equipment as well as other operators selling electric and electronic equipment under their brand.

Producer responsibility is governed by legislation, as available on the FINLEX Web site, such as the law on amendment of the Waste Act (Laki jätelain muuttamisesta), 452/2004 (available only in Finnish):
http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/alkup/2004/20040452

The new Waste Act took effect on 1 May 2012;
http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/2011/20110646

Amendments to the Waste Act 2021 (on producer responsibility, in particular sections 62-66): https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/alkup/2021/20210714

The Government Decree 2021/1026 on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (Valtioneuvoston asetus sähkö- ja elektroniikkalaiteromusta):
https://finlex.fi/fi/laki/alkup/2021/20211026

Translation: Government Decree on WEEE 2021/1026

Directive 2012/19/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2012 on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)