To achive its objectives the project was structured into five key steps (Figure 1). As a first step, a comprehensive baseline and gap analysis was performed with the aim to understand existing recovery practices, standards and verification schemes related to valuable and critical raw materials and to identify how these can be leveraged for CEWASTE. Based on a set of pre-defined criteria, the consortium identified the 14 types/categories of Key CRM Equipment (KCE), from WEEE and waste batteries from EEE and end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) with sufficiently high concentrations and feasible processing technologies enabling the recycling of CRMs (Figure 2).
More than 60 normative requirements such as legislation, standards and their certification schemes applicable to the identified Key CRM Equipment were mapped and assessed for stipulations that could be referenced and used for the CEWASTE certification scheme. The result of the mapping exercise revealed that while non-technical requirements applicable to the collection and treatment of Key CRM Equipment are addressed in the existing standards, there are hardly any technical requirements in place for the recycling of valuable and CRMs. By taking stock of the existing standards and guidelines, more specifically the CENELEC EN 50625 standard series, the project has developed new set of normative requirements for environmental, social, technology and governance performance of collection, transport and treatment facilities of the identified Key CRM Equipment.
To ensure that the facilities in the value chain comply with the identified normative requirements, the project established an assurance system and related verification mechanisms. With reference to existing certification schemes, auditing standards and good practice guides a framework for the assurance system was developed. Among others, a check-list (Excel file) document is developed which provides support for auditors to assess the compliance of an operators’ facility with the CEWASTE requirement.
The feasibility and practicality of the CEWASTE scheme was validated through twenty pilot audits at companies in Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland as well as in Columbia, Rwanda and Turkey covering the entire value chain of WEEE recycling. Moreover, by conducting a robust and transparent stakeholder process, including face-to-face meetings and online public consultation process, the project team ensured engagement with a broader group of external experts.
One of the key outcomes of the project is a roadmap for long-term sustainability of the CEWASTE scheme in which barriers to CRM recovery are analysed and solutions and business models for improving the process are suggested. These results and recommendations were presented in the project’s Final Event held on 24 March, during which key stakeholders from industry, standardization bodies, civil society (NGO) and the European Commission further discussed these solutions.
