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Spain Enforces New Rules for Empty Toner Cartridges.
(Tonernews.com would like to thank our friends in europe at Spravnytoner.cz/ for help with this article)
Spain has introduced stricter rules regarding the handling of used toner cartridges in an effort to curb potential misuse within the waste management system. Under the European Waste Catalogue (EWC), toner cartridges containing chips are classified as electronic waste, while the toner dust itself is categorized as landfill waste. This distinction was originally intended to differentiate waste from high-volume printing and waste from printers and copiers. However, certain importers and suppliers of Chinese toner cartridges have exploited this categorization, marketing toner cartridges under waste codes for toner dust to avoid paying waste fees.To close this loophole, Spain has updated its waste management regulations. The revised measures, outlined in Regulation TED/1032/2024, took effect on January 2, 2025. As a result, toner cartridges will no longer be eligible for disposal under EWC codes 080317 and 080318.
The new rules require all toner cartridges to be processed according to updated Harmonized System (HS) codes, in line with Royal Decree 110/2015. These codes classify the cartridges as electronic waste, meaning they must be recycled according to the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) guidelines. This change ensures compliance with EU directives and addresses the environmental risks posed by improperly disposed toner cartridges, which can take centuries to decompose.
The explanatory memorandum highlights that this reclassification closes a significant loophole, which had been costing the Spanish economy millions of Euros annually due to lost fees and taxes associated with WEEE. Additionally, the regulation introduces a new digital platform for monitoring waste treatment processes, enhancing transparency and compliance.
In the Czech Republic, the Waste Department of the Ministry of the Environment has outlined similar guidelines under Act No. 542/2020 Coll., where every toner cartridge equipped with a chip is considered electronic waste. This applies to nearly all print cartridges used in printers and copiers.
A major issue in the Czech Republic, however, is the lack of enforcement regarding compliance with market obligations. A recent review of importers of Chinese toner cartridges revealed that only 2 out of 10 companies were properly registered with a collective waste manager. The country’s waste management information system, VISOH2, clearly shows that most importers of Chinese toners are neglecting their obligation to pay electronic waste fees.
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