WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) is the EU directive (Directive 2012/19/EU) that governs the collection, treatment, and recycling of end-of-life electronics. Producers, importers, and in some cases distributors must register in each EU member state where they place products on the market and contribute to national collection schemes.
For wholesale electronics, WEEE has two direct implications. First, importers and wholesalers bringing devices into the EU must register and assume the producer's WEEE obligations if the manufacturer is non-EU; this is a meaningful operational cost and compliance load. Second, the WEEE symbol (the crossed-out wheelie bin) must appear on the device and accompanying documentation.
Refurb operations are not exempt: refurbishers acting as “producers” (selling refurbished devices under their own brand) take on WEEE obligations. Refurbishers selling unbranded refurbished stock typically can rely on the original manufacturer's registration.