Circular Economy, WEEE, and Right to Repair: the European Consumer Electronics sector gathers at the European Parliament

Hosted by MEPs Elena Donazzan and Dimitris Tsiodras, retailers, manufacturers, consumer associations, and civil society organizations will discuss strategies to extend the lifespan of electronic products and improve e-waste management in Europe.

Brussels, European Parliament – July 1, 2026 | 08:00 – 09:30 (CEST)

To access the European Parliament, registration is required via the registration link.

Just days before the upcoming entry into force of the Right to Repair Directive, the European Parliament will host a debate among key players in the consumer electronics sector. The event will focus on strategies to extend product lifespans, boost the collection and recovery of e-waste, and foster the transition toward an increasingly circular economic model.

Promoted by the EuCER Council and hosted by MEPs Elena Donazzan and Dimitris Tsiodras, the event “Circular Electronics in Europe: From WEEE to the Implementation of the Right to Repair Directive” will bring together retailers, manufacturers, consumer associations, civil society organizations, and representatives of EU institutions. The discussion will center on the role that different supply chain actors can play in the practical implementation of European environmental policies.

The debate will focus on two closely linked themes: on one hand, the need to increase collection and treatment rates for WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment), which remain too low in many areas of the European Union; on the other hand, the implementation of the Right to Repair Directive, which aims to make repairing electronic products easier and more affordable, thereby helping to reduce waste generation and extend equipment lifecycles.

The morning will be opened by MEPs Elena Donazzan and Dimitris Tsiodras, promoters of the initiative, who have long been committed to European competitiveness, innovation, and sustainability. Their introductory remarks will provide the institutional framework for the debate.

Following this, Hans Carpels, President of the EuCER Council, will present the European consumer electronics sector’s vision regarding the main challenges of product circularity and e-waste management:

“On behalf of the European consumer electronics retailers represented by EuCER, I would like to thank MEPs Elena Donazzan and Dimitris Tsiodras for making this important debate possible inside the European Parliament. It is particularly meaningful to meet early in the morning, before parliamentary sessions begin – a space that evokes dialogue between institutions and citizens, as well as Europe’s commitment to social and civil progress. The message we wish to deliver to the European institutions is simple yet fundamental: retailers represent a valuable infrastructure for the concrete implementation of EU environmental policies. Thanks to our daily relationship with millions of citizens, we can contribute to consumers’ energy education, promote proper e-waste management, and guide people toward more conscious and sustainable choices. Furthermore, we can play a significant role in helping consumers assess when repair is the best solution and when, instead, replacing the equipment is truly necessary. If Europe wants to accelerate the transition to a circular economy, it is essential to leverage the contribution of all actors in the supply chain, and retail is ready to do its part.“

Throughout the morning, the discussion will address both Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and WEEE management, as well as the opportunities and challenges tied to implementing the Right to Repair Directive. The event will feature contributions from representatives of major European organizations in the sector, including AIRES Confcommercio, Expert International, Unieuro, Worten, and Right to Repair Europe, who will share diverse experiences and perspectives on one of the most critical issues for the future of European sustainability.

The event represents a major opportunity for dialogue among institutions, businesses, consumers, and civil society on a shared challenge: transforming circular economy goals into concrete results, helping to extend the lifespan of electronic products, reduce waste, and promote increasingly sustainable consumption models.