The directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is due to come into force in 2005 when member states will have to meet waste collection and recycling targets.
The UK and Spain are the least clued up, according to the Xerox Industrial Business survey 2001.
The research was conducted among 529 directors and senior managers in the automotive, utilities, high-tech, communications and manufacturing industries in the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
Just 42 per cent of British manufacturers were able to say how their business will be affected by WEEE, compared to 56 per cent in Italy.
Xerox Europe's senior vice president of world-wide industrial business, Olivier Grouès said: 'With monitoring of EU member states to begin in 2005, it is important that businesses are familar with WEEE and its potential impact.'
Source
The Facilities Business