FAQs

Answering common compliance questions

information according to

§18 – Consumer Information

Producers must take care to inform consumers:

That Electrical and Electronic Equipment must not be disposed in residual waste but must be brought to designated municipal WEEE collection sites.

Moreover, producers must inform consumers:

  • about the existence of municipal WEEE collection sites for WEEE disposal,
  • that it is consumer’s obligation to delete personal/sensitive data from WEEE before disposal,
  • about the meaning of the crossed-out wheeled bin.

The information must be attached to the Electrical and Electronic Equipment in written. It could for instance be printed in product manuals or on product packaging or on the products.

the following example text could be used:

German Version

  1. Korrekte Entsorgung von Elektro- und Elektronikgeräten und Symbol der „durchgestrichenen Mülltonne“

Die durchgestrichene Mülltonne auf Elektroaltgeräten bedeutet, dass Sie gesetzlich verpflichtet sind, diese Geräte einer vom unsortierten Siedlungsabfall getrennten Erfassung zuzuführen. Die Entsorgung über die Restmülltonne, die gelbe Tonne oder den gelben Sack ist gesetzlich untersagt. Enthalten die Geräte Batterien, Akkumulatoren oder Lampen, die nicht fest verbaut sind, müssen diese vor der Entsorgung entnommen und getrennt als Gerätealtbatterien entsorgt werden.

  1. Möglichkeiten der Rückgabe von Altgeräten

Besitzer von Altgeräten können diese im Rahmen der durch öffentlich-rechtliche Entsorgungsträger oder bei den von Herstellern oder Vertreibern im Sinne des ElektroG eingerichteten Rücknahmestellen abgeben, damit eine ordnungsgemäße Entsorgung der Altgeräte sichergestellt ist. Ein Onlineverzeichnis der Sammel- und Rücknahmestellen können Sie sich über die folgende Internetseite anzeigen lassen: https://e-schrott-entsorgen.org/

  1. Datenschutz

Wir weisen alle Endnutzer von Elektro- und Elektronikaltgeräten darauf hin, dass Sie für das Löschen personenbezogener Daten auf den zu entsorgenden Altgeräten selbst verantwortlich sind.

English Version

  1. Correct disposing of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and symbol of the “crossed-out wheeled bin”

The crossed-out wheeled bin on WEEE means that you are obliged by law to dispose of this equipment separately from the unsorted municipal waste collection system. Disposing of it in the residual waste bin, the yellow bin or yellow bag for recyclable materials is legally prohibited. If the equipment contains portable batteries, accumulators or lamps that are not permanently installed, these must be removed before disposing of the product and be disposed of separately as waste portable batteries.

  1. Ways of returning waste electrical and electronic equipment

Owners of waste electrical and electronic equipment can return them to those facilities for returning or collecting waste electrical and electronic equipment set up and provided by the public-sector waste disposal authorities or alternatively with collection points installed by producers, retailers or distant sellers to ensure that the waste electrical and electronic equipment is disposed of correctly. The following link leads to an online registry of the available collection and take-back sites: https://e-schrott-entsorgen.org/

  1. Data privacy

We should point out to all end-users of waste electrical and electronic equipment that they themselves are responsible for deleting all personal data from the waste electrical and electronic equipment to be disposed of.

§28 – Information about re-use

(1)         The producer has to provide free-of-charge information for recycling, treatment and re-use organizations about specific sorting and recycling potential or conditions of its WEEE according to § 28 of the WEEE Regulations (ElektroG). The aforementioned information has to be provided latest one year after first put on market in form of manuals (either printed or electronic).

(2)         Moreover, the producer has to provide information to consumers what types and chemistries of batteries and accumulators are included in EEE (if applicable). Furthermore, the producer has to inform the consumer about the safe way to detach batteries and accumulators from EEE. It would be appropriate to put such instructions in manuals that are attached to the products.

WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) is the industry term for electrical waste, named after the EU Directive which covers its disposal. Electrical waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the world.

Electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) is anything with a battery or a plug on it. Fluorescent tubes and low energy light bulbs are also classified as EEE by the regulations. Old-style filament light bulbs are not covered by the regulations. When electrical goods (EEE) become waste, they are considered ‘WEEE’.

The WEEE Directive was brought in to reduce increasing amounts of electrical waste (WEEE) going to landfill. The Directive requires electronic goods producers to pay for recycling this equipment when it becomes waste.

Producers (manufacturers and importers) of electronic and electrical goods have to join an authorised ‘producer compliance scheme’, also known as a WEEE compliance scheme. The producer pays its chosen scheme to collect and recycle WEEE on its behalf.

Ask your local authority where to dispose of it locally. All local authorities accept WEEE for free from households, usually at recycling centres. A WEEE compliance scheme will collect the WEEE from the local authority. This service is paid for by EEE producers. In some EU countries, WEEE is also collected by retailers.

A PV system has several components, including groups of PV cells called ‘modules’ (also known as ‘panels’); at least one battery; a charge regulator or controller for a stand-alone system; an inverter for a utility-grid-connected system or when alternating current (AC) rather than direct current (DC) is required; wiring; and mounting hardware or a support framework.

As part of the WEEE Directive, PV module recycling is a legal obligation across Europe. Moreover, the transposition of the WEEE directive into the legislation of member states means that waste PV Module collection and recycling are now subject to producer responsibility.

  • PV Producers are defined as and include: manufacturers, distributors, resellers, importers and Internet or distance sellers of PV modules.
  • As a PV producer you are now legally responsible for financing and securing the collection and recycling of waste PV panels sold in EU Member States.
  • This also applies also to other devices that are part of PV plants/installations, such as inverters and energy storage devices (e.g. batteries and industrial accumulators).

The necessary steps for manufacturers and distributors of all types of batteries on the German market result from the Battery Act, which represents the national implementation of European battery legislation.

The most important information and obligations are summarized below:

A “Distributor” is anyone who, regardless of the distribution method, offers batteries commercially to the end user within Germany.

A “Manufacturer” means any person who, regardless of the method of distribution, places batteries on the market for the first time commercially within Germany.
Distributors and intermediaries who intentionally or negligently offer batteries from manufacturers who or whose authorized representatives are not or not properly registered, shall be deemed to be manufacturers within the meaning of this Act.

§4 Registration of manufacturers

As a producer within the meaning of the Act, you are obliged since 01.01.2022 to register with stiftung ear (stiftung elektroaltgeräte-register) with all brand names and battery types.

This applies to manufacturers of the battery type “portable batteries” as well as “automotive” and “industrial” batteries

§5 Take-back obligations of producers

Manufacturers are obliged to take back, treat and recycle free of charge the waste batteries taken back by the distributors, as well as the waste portable batteries collected by public waste management authorities or the voluntary collection points.

This is done by participating in a battery take-back system, e.g. the take-back system of DS Entsorgungs- und Dienstleistungs-GmbH, which is part of the Landbell Group.

§8 Take-back of automotive and industrial batteries

The manufacturers of automotive and industrial batteries are obliged to offer a reasonable and free-of-charge option for the return of used batteries

§9 Obligations of distributors

The obligation to take back waste batteries at or in the immediate vicinity of the retail outlet applies.
In addition, every distributor is obliged to hand over their returned waste portable batteries to a take-back scheme.

§15 Performance review

Each take-back scheme must submit annual documentation of take-back and recycling to the Federal Environment Agency.

As a result, manufacturers are required to report both the planned quantities placed on the market and the quantities actually placed on the market

§17 Labeling

Manufacturers are subject to certain labeling requirements that must be visible on the product. These vary depending on the type and composition of the battery.

§18 Notification and information obligations

Distributors must inform their customers

  1. that batteries can be returned free of charge to the retailer after use,
  2. that the end user is legally obliged to return used batteries and
  3. the meaning of the marking symbols on the battery

Further information obligations apply to manufacturers:

  1. waste prevention measures and on measures to prevent littering,
  2. the possibilities for preparing used batteries for reuse,
  3. the possible effects of the substances contained in batteries on the environment and human health, in particular on the risks of handling batteries containing lithium, and
  4.  the importance of separate collection and recycling of waste batteries for the environment and human health.

⇒ If you have any questions about the obligations and implementation, our experts at ERP-Recycling and Landbell will of course be happy to help you.

What we can do for you:

To let you get back to your core business, we can take on the complex tasks of the Battery Act for you.

With our experienced operational team, our network of qualified disposal partners and the battery take-back system of DS Entsorgungs- und Dienstleistungs GmbH, we take on all tasks and obligations for you that can be transferred to us as a service provider under the law and simplify compliance with your obligations as far as possible.

This includes, among other things

  • Communication with the responsible authorities
  • Registration with the stiftung elektro-altgeraete-register (EAR)
  • Management of your EAR account
  • Submission of your quantity reports (e.g. annual planned quantity, annual placing on the market report)
  • Participation in our company’s own battery take-back system (DS Entsorgungs- und Dienstleistungs-GmbH)
  • Advice on compliance issues in the area of batteries
  • Individual take-back concepts for industrial batteries

Contact us directly via our contact form on this homepage or on +49 (0)241 9515 2000

Find a sample text for communication on your producer/seller website or your manual in German and English here:
(You need to add an individual sentence telling if and how the batteries can be taken off the device by the consumer, and telling the exact battery type that needs to be used in your product.)

Muster:
Sie sind gesetzlich dazu verpflichtet, Elektro- und Elektronikgeräte sowie Batterien getrennt von Hausmüll sachgerecht zu entsorgen. Dies können Sie am Symbol der durchgestrichenen Mülltonne auf unseren Produkten und Verpackungen erkennen.
Hintergrund der getrennten Entsorgung ist, dass Elektro- und Elektronikgeräte sowie Batterien wertvolle Rohstoffe wie Metalle (z.B. Eisen, Zink, Mangan oder Nickel), Kunststoffe und seltene Erden enthalten. Durch eine getrennte Entsorgung können diese Rohstoffe wiederverwertet (recycelt) werden. Mit der ordnungsgemäßen Entsorgung leisten Sie einen Beitrag zum Schutz der Umwelt und der menschlichen Gesundheit.

  • Schadstoffhaltige Batterien bzw. die wiederaufladbaren Akkus können Sie an den Buchstabenkombination Pb für Blei, Cd für Cadmium und Hg für Quecksilber unter der durchgestrichenen Mülltonne erkennen.
  • Bei der unsachgemäßen Entsorgung von Lithium-Ionen-Batterien und -Akkus besteht eine enorme Brandgefahr. Immer wieder kommt es aufgrund von falsch entsorgten Batterien und Akkus zu verheerenden Bränden sowohl bei Verbrauchern, als auch bei den Entsorgern. Lithium-Ionen-Batterien und -Akkus können sich im heimischen Abfalleimer, der Abfalltone, in den Entsorgungs-LKWs oder in den Sortieranlagen entzünden. Dabei entstehen nicht nur große Sachschäden, sondern auch lebensgefährliche Situation, sowohl in den Haushalten, als auch für die Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter der Entsorgungs- und Recyclingbranche.
  • Vor der Entsorgung und auch bei der Lagerung Ihrer Lithium-Ionen-Batterie oder -Akkus sollten Sie die Pole mit Isolierband (alternativ: Klebeband) abkleben, damit ein Kurzschluss ausgeschlossen ist.
  • Wenn der Lithium-Ionen-Akku nicht im Gerät verbaut ist, sollte der Akku einzeln an den entsprechenden Sammelstellen abgegeben werden.
  • Bitte vermeiden Sie die Entstehung von Abfällen soweit möglich, indem Sie Batterien mit längerer Lebensdauer oder die wiederaufladbaren Akkus bevorzugen.

Die kostenfreie Rückgabe ist wahlweise bei kommunalen Sammelstellen oder im Handel möglich. Weitere Sammelstellen können Sie bei Ihrer Stadt- oder Kommunalverwaltung erfragen; mehr und mehr Sammelstellen sind mit dem Sammelstellen-Logo gekennzeichnet.

Weitere Abgabestellen sind im Rückgabefinder für Elektroaltgeräte https://e-schrott-entsorgen.org/ gelistet.

Sample:

You are legally obliged to dispose of electrical and electronic equipment and batteries separately from household waste. You can recognize this by the crossed-out garbage bin symbol on our products and packaging.

The reason for separate disposal is that electrical and electronic appliances and batteries contain valuable raw materials such as metals (e.g. iron, zinc, manganese or nickel), plastics and rare earths. These raw materials can be reused (recycled) by disposing of them separately. By disposing of them properly, you are helping to protect the environment and human health.

  • Batteries and rechargeable batteries containing harmful substances can be identified by the letter combination Pb for lead, Cd for cadmium and Hg for mercury under the crossed-out garbage bin.
  • Improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries poses an enormous fire hazard. Time and again, incorrectly disposed batteries cause fires,  devastating for both consumers and disposal companies. Lithium-ion batteries can ignite in domestic waste garbage cans, waste clays, waste disposal trucks or sorting plants. This not only causes major damage to property, but also creates a life-threatening situation, both in households and for employees in the waste disposal and recycling industry.
  • Before disposing of your lithium-ion battery or rechargeable battery and also when storing it, you should cover the poles with insulating tape (alternatively: adhesive tape) to prevent a short circuit.
  • If the lithium-ion battery is not installed in the device, the battery should be disposed of individually at the appropriate collection points.
  • Please avoid producing waste as far as possible by preferring batteries with a longer service life or rechargeable batteries.

You can return batteries free of charge either to municipal collection points or to retailers. You can find out about other collection points via your city or local authority; more and more collection points are marked with the collection point logo.

Further drop-off points are listed in the return finder for old electrical appliances https://e-schrott-entsorgen.org/

The manufacturer is obliged to permanently mark batteries with the crossed-out wheeled garbage bin symbol before placing them on the market in accordance with the law. see also the official text of the Battery Act

The manufacturer is obliged to mark batteries containing more than 0.0005% by mass of mercury, more than 0.002% by mass of cadmium or more than 0.004% by mass of lead with the chemical symbols of the metals (Hg, Cd, Pb) for which the limit value is exceeded before placing them on the market for the first time.

The user must be informed how to remove batteries from the appliances and which type and chemical system is used.

The battery take-back systems currently operating in Germany provide information on the proper disposal of used batteries and rechargeable batteries. Answers to frequently asked questions, newsletters and press materials are available at

https://www.batterie-zurueck.de/

See some of the different packaging recycling processes in our What happens to your waste guide.

Information about packaging markings and symbols can be found on the RecycleNow website.

We will trace the flows of packaging in and out of your company and assess the types of activities performed on the packaging. At every stage, we will look to understand what you do with the packaging.

ERP maintains an extensive database of packaging weights. The database is constantly updated and expanded through collection of weight data from suppliers and manual weighing. Our unique software solution then matches products against packaging weights from the database to calculate your obligation.

There are a number of reasons: outsourcing takes away the complex data collection and calculations process; it can be difficult to obtain packaging weights and assess which business activities are obligated; legislation can be hard to understand – we ensure your compliance with the packaging waste regulations in the UK and Ireland. All of this saves producers significant time and resources.
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