Rules don't work for the little companies
The new rules take into consideration the companies turn over rather than the amount which is produced.
As an IT consultant, its 'me, my skills and knowledge' that people that people pay for, yet last year I 'produced' 22 computers and sold various hard drives, routers and TFT screens to replace failed items. However this acutally accounted for less than 2% of my total turn over , yet I have to fork out £500 to be registered on a scheme just to 'resell', or £1000 if I build 1 computer.
Needless to say, I am now a reseller only, so the big US companies, DELL, HP, Toshiba etc., will end up making more profit. Why? because I and possibly other system builders will no longer buy from UK distributors.
I suspect that some system builders, whether selling in newspapers or on ebay will not register because they will simply claim its used equipment.
If you read the WEEE directive to the letter, every shop, garage, market stall, in fact anyone that even sells a lightbulb or battery has to be registered because if it uses electricity, you need a license to sell it.
Its all gone mad.