European policymakers and industry leaders are gathering in Dublin today for a major two-day conference examining how electrical and electronic wate can play a bigger role in Europe’s circular economy, competitiveness and security of raw material supply.
The WEEE Forum International Conference 2026, “From Challenge to Change”, takes place at Clontarf Castle today and tomorrow and is an Associated Event of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Co-hosted by WEEE Ireland and the WEEE Forum, it brings together representatives of the European Commission, national government, electrical manufacturers and producers, retailers and recyclers at a significant point for European circular economy policy.
Among the speakers is Aurel Ciobanu-Dordea, Director for Competitive Circular Economy and Clean Industrial Policy at the European Commission, who will examine how the forthcoming EU Circular Economy Act can strengthen European competitiveness and resilience and improve recovery of critical raw materials.
Other discussions across the two days will include repair and reuse, the new Circular Economy Act, producer registration and reporting, fast tech and consumer behaviour and the future development of Extended Producer Responsibility.
“Holding this discussion in Dublin during Ireland’s EU Presidency gives us an important opportunity to bring practical Irish experience into a much wider European conversation about the future of electronics and the materials they contain,” said Elizabeth O’Reilly, Director of Environmental Compliance & Circular Economy at WEEE Ireland.
“Electrical products contain components and materials that Europe needs but we are still heavily dependent on imported primary raw materials for many technologies.
“Keeping products in use for longer through repair and reuse, improving legitimate collection and recovering more materials at end of life can support both circular economy goals and greater resource resilience.”