The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) has announced that the Federal Cabinet adopted new rules for the disposal of waste electrical and electronic appliances (WEEE) and batteries as well as disposable e-cigarettes on 9 October 2024 (take-e-way reported: Draft Electrical Equipment Act available). In future, consumers will be able to return used devices to retailers more frequently, with better and standardised labelling and information at points of sale. The obligation to take back disposable e-cigarettes will be extended to all points of sale. In addition, safety measures are to be introduced to minimise fire risks from incorrectly disposed lithium batteries. In future, devices with batteries may only be sorted by trained staff at recycling centres in order to remove batteries before disposal and prevent accidents.
As Euwid reports, the German government is accommodating sellers in one respect by dropping the originally planned extension of the 0:1 take-back obligation to larger devices with an edge length of up to 50 centimetres in the cabinet draft. The government is sticking to the other changes. The VKU, BDE and bvse associations consider the measures to be insufficient to minimise fire hazards and achieve the recycling targets. They are calling for stricter measures, including a ban on disposable e-cigarettes, a battery deposit and more producer responsibility. Bitkom welcomes the introduction of a standardised logo for take-back points, but warns against Germany going it alone without EU-wide solutions.
The year 2025 will bring numerous changes for battery and electrical equipment producers subject to registration. In his presentation New regulations for the registration of electrical and electronic equipment and batteries (ElektroG, BattG, BattDG-E, BattVO) on 19 November 2024 at the East Hotel in Hamburg/Germany, EAR Board Alexander Goldberg will explain the main changes and challenges involved.
Participation is free of charge for VERE e.V. members and customers of take-e-way GmbH and trade-e-bility GmbH. Become a VERE member now for €25 per year and benefit from this advantage too. Only a few places are still available.
