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WEEE and Battery Compliance Update: Q2 2026
The Environment Agency’s latest Q2 2026 compliance data provide an important insight into the performance of both the UK WEEE and battery compliance systems.
The Environment Agency's latest Q2 2026 compliance data provide an important insight into the performance of both the UK WEEE and battery compliance systems. While collection volumes have generally increased compared to the same period in 2025, the data also highlights several emerging challenges that could have significant implications for producer compliance through the remainder of 2026.
Most notably, electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) placed on the UK market continues to rise, while several WEEE collection streams are behind annual targets. Meanwhile, the battery sector is undergoing a potentially significant shift in collection chemistry trends, with "Other" waste portable batteries continuing to overtake lead acid batteries in the evidence system.
UK WEEE data shows continued growth in EEE placed on the market
Q2 2026 saw UK EEE placed on the market increase by 8% compared with Q2 2025, representing an increase of 33,882 tonnes overall. The only category to record a decline was photovoltaic panels (Category 14), which fell by 15% (8,420 tonnes). All other major streams increased during the quarter.
Particularly notable increases included:
- Large Household Appliances (Category 1), up 7% (over 9,200 tonnes)
- Cooling Appliances (Category 12), up 22% (over 11,400 tonnes)
- Display Equipment (Category 11), up 5% (over 900 tonnes)
- Categories 2-10, up 15% (over 19,800 tonnes)
The significant rise across Categories 2-10 continues to reflect the impact of online marketplaces now being required to report EEE placed on the market (POM) for non-UK sellers operating on their platforms. This change is having a substantial influence on reported market volumes and is reshaping the compliance landscape for many producers.
Read the full analysis of Q2 2026 WEEE POM Data
For a detailed breakdown of market data, category performance and trend charts, read our full analysis:
Q2 2026 UK WEEE Compliance Data
WEEE collection volumes increase, but targets remain challenging
The Q2 2026 WEEE collection data show a 2% increase compared with Q2 2025, equating to over 2,800 additional tonnes collected. Growth continues to be driven primarily by:
- Large Household Appliances (Category 1), up 5%
- Small Mixed WEEE (Categories 2-10), up 4%
However, not all streams performed positively.
Cooling Appliances (Category 12) experienced a 3% decline compared with Q2 2025. Local Authority Designated Collection Facility (DCF) collections fell by 3.75%, while Regulation 50 collections decreased by 23%. Distributor Returns under Regulation 43 were the only cooling collection route to increase, rising by 5.7%.
The cooling sector continues to be affected by widely reported fridge recycling capacity constraints following the closure of the Unimetals Newport facility and operational challenges at EMR's Darlaston site. As a result, significant volumes of discarded fridges are understood to remain in storage awaiting treatment and reporting.
WEEE target performance raises compliance concerns
Looking ahead to the remainder of 2026, the compliance position remains challenging for several WEEE streams.
Following Q2, only Large Household Appliances (Category 1) are currently on track to meet their collection target. All other categories require stronger collection performance during the second half of the year if annual targets are to be achieved.
For cooling appliances, the current market conditions mean achieving the 2026 target already appears increasingly unlikely. This could have implications for both the operation of the 2026 WEEE Compliance Fee and future target setting for 2027 if significant volumes continue to remain in storage.
ERP UK and other compliance schemes continue to work closely with local authorities, regulators and recyclers to help address these challenges and support the effective operation of the UK WEEE system.
Portable battery market volumes remain strong despite small decline
The Q2 2026 UK battery data tell a different story.
Portable battery POM volumes fell by just 67 tonnes compared with Q2 2025, representing a modest 1% decrease year-on-year. Despite this reduction, the total volume reported, 9,244 tonnes, remains the second-highest Q2 POM figure ever recorded.
This suggests that producer obligations remain broadly stable despite challenging economic conditions and changing consumer purchasing patterns.
Read the full analysis of Q2 2026 Battery POM Data
Explore the latest battery market trends, data charts and detailed analysis:
Q2 2026 UK Battery Compliance Data
Significant changes emerging in battery collection chemistry
While battery collection volumes declined by 4% compared with Q2 2025, the more interesting development is the ongoing change in battery chemistry composition.
Q2 2026 recorded:
- A 31% decrease in lead acid portable battery collections
- A 24% increase in "Other" waste portable battery collections
Overall collection volumes reached 5,103 tonnes, the lowest Q2 total since 2022. Lead acid collections were the lowest recorded Q2 volume since 2020 and, for the first time, more "Other" waste batteries were collected than lead acid batteries during the second quarter.
This trend appears increasingly significant when viewed over the longer term. Historically, "Other" battery collections exceeded lead acid collections only three times between 2016 and Q3 2025. Since then, "Other" batteries have exceeded lead acid volumes for three consecutive quarters.
What is driving the decline in Lead Acid Battery evidence?
Several factors may be contributing to the decline in reported lead acid battery volumes.
One UK exporter of lead acid batteries ceased trading during 2026, while overall exports of waste portable lead acid batteries have reduced. In addition, environmental regulators continue to maintain stringent requirements for Approved Battery Treatment Operators (ABTOs) seeking to issue evidence from portable lead acid batteries.
It remains too early to determine whether this represents a short-term market disruption or a more fundamental shift within the UK battery compliance system. However, the data increasingly suggests that the sector's historical dependence on lead acid battery evidence may be changing.
Battery collection performance against 2026 targets
Based on Q2 data, the UK battery collection rate currently stands at 25.02%, representing 56% of progress toward the 2026 collection target of 45%.
While there remains, considerable time left in the compliance year, collection performance during Q3 and Q4 will be critical in determining whether the UK remains on track to meet its annual obligations.
What producers should be watching
The latest Q2 compliance data highlights several key developments that producers should continue to monitor:
- Rising EEE POM volumes driven by online marketplace reporting.
- Ongoing pressure on many WEEE collection streams to achieve annual targets.
- Continuing cooling appliance treatment and reporting challenges.
- Significant changes in battery collection chemistry trends.
- Reduced reliance on lead acid battery evidence within the battery compliance system.
- Potential implications for compliance costs and future target setting.
How ERP UK can help
Navigating changing compliance requirements, collection performance fluctuations and evolving market conditions requires up-to-date expertise and reliable compliance support.
Whether your organisation is obligated under the UK WEEE Regulations, Battery Regulations or both, ERP UK can help you:
- Understand your compliance obligations
- Manage producer registrations
- Monitor market and collection data
- Navigate evolving regulatory requirements
- Minimise compliance risk through expert guidance
Need support with your WEEE or battery compliance strategy?
Speak to ERP UK's compliance experts today to discuss how we can support your organisation and help you stay ahead of regulatory change.
Want to know more about our compliance services
Visit our WEEE compliance webpage here:
Visit our Batteries compliance webpage here:
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Telephone: +44 (0)20 3142 6452 E-mail: uk@erp-recycling.org
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