The German goverment has passed an amendment to the German WEEE law (ElektroG3). The amendments will come into force on 01st January 2022.
The aim is to achieve the collection rate of 65% of WEEE. This collection rate has been missed in recent years.
In order to achieve these quotas some measures are intended to stop free-riding by manufacturers from abroad, e.g. on online marketplaces or at fulfilment service providers.
The most important changes are:
Take-back obligations for dealers/retailers
- Information and labelling obligations for dealers/retailers. They have to inform end customers about the possibilities to return electrical appliances
- new WEEE take back obligations for supermarkets with a shop area of at least 800 square metres
- Tightening of the already existing take-back obligations for online retailers with more than 400 sqm of storage, logistics and shipping space for electric appliances (online shops have to check again whether the 400 sqm are exceeded).
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Obligations for B2C and B2B producers
- If you sell WEEE with batteries you have to inform about the battery type and chemical system
- Batteries should be easily removable from WEEE by the enduser or independent qualified person with commercially available tools. Manufacturers must also include information on this removable options.
- Obligatory labelling of B2B equipment with the crossed-out whellie dustbin ()WEEE symbol). In most other EU countries labelling has been mandatory for many years
- Take-back concepts for B2B electrical equipment
Liability for fulfilment service providers and marketplace operators
Many manufacturers and retailers from abroad are increasingly selling their WEEE via large online marketplaces. Some of these retailors are still not registered at the Stiftung EAR.
According to new WEEE law fulfilment service providers and online marketplaces have to ensure that their customers are registered at the national authorities and take back schemes for WEEE, batteries and packaging. (they have to check the EPR registration numbers)
There are several other changes regarding the new WEEE law in Germany.
If your company is affected by these changes or if you need further information, feel free to contact the Go4Recycling Team at any time.