The "Elektrogesetz"

Contents

   • Obligations and Deadlines
      – Registration
      – Reporting
      – Labeling
      – Recovery of WEEE
      – Product Design
      – Information
      – Recovery Rates


Obligations and Deadlines

Producers, as identified by the "Elektrogesetz", have to consider a number of obligations and deadlines:

Registration

As from 24 November 2005 all producers together with their types of equipment and the appropriate brand names must be registered at the German Clearing House. The handling of B2C products (consumer goods) and B2B products (professional equipment) is different. Producers of B2C equipment are obliged to participate in the public WEEE collection system. In addition a guarantee for the event of insolvency must be provided for B2C products.

For the classification of electrical or electronical equipment as B2B products the producer has to plausibly document that those devices cannot or usually aren't used in private households. However, he can then find his own recovery solution together with his clients.

The producer also has to state the identification number he received during the registration process on all commercial documents.

Reporting

As of November, 24 2005 all registered producers have to report the input mass (weight of the equipment they put on the market) on a monthly basis (B2C) respectively on a yearly basis (B2B). For recoveries under the take-back obligation the output amounts have to be declared into the electronic EAR system. In addition, recurring statistical input is required, always on an annual basis until 30 April of the following year.

Labeling

Equipment which is put on the market since 13 August 2005 has to be labeled with an identification (usually a brand mark) for an easy reference between product and producer. by the producer. For B2C products the crossed-out wheeled-bin has to be applied.

Recovery of WEEE

On the basis of the difference between the amount of equipment put on the market and recovered producers have to pick up a full container of WEEE similar to the EEE products put on the market at a designated municipal collection point. The collection and recovery volume have to be reported to the Clearing House. In addition, an empty container must be provided by the producer at the collection point.

Product Design

The design of all electrical and electronic products designed and put on the market after August 13, 2005 should provide for an easy disassembly and recovery by the treatment facility.

Information

Producers must inform consumers about a possible recovery, the background of the "Elektrogesetz" and the meaning of the recovery symbol (crossed-out wheelie-bin). At the latest one year after a product was put on the market for the first time the producer must provide suitable information (e.g. recycling pass) for treatment facilities to allow for an optimal recycling.

Recovery Rates

Specific recovery rates have to be reached by the producers for the recovery of electrical and electronic equipment. The actual rate depends on the product category.