According to the foundation Elektro-Altgeräte Register (EAR Foundation), so-called “passive” equipment (electrical and electronic equipment that merely conduct electricity) will fall within the scope of application of the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG). Manufacturers of such “passive” equipment are therefore required to submit a corresponding application for registration with the EAR Foundation in good time by 1 May 2019.
However, the new rule is only of relevance to end-equipment designed for operation with a maximum alternating voltage (AC) of 1,000 volts or a maximum direct voltage (DC) of 1,500 volts. These include e.g. factory-made extension cables, light switches, power sockets and power rails. Components such as cable sold by the metre, wire end sleeves or ferrules, and ring cable lugs remain excluded.
With the new provisions, the EAR Foundation plans to achieve a most far-reaching European harmonisation in the classification of “passive” equipment as possible. After all, in many European countries these are already subject to the WEEE Directive.
Other selected examples of “passive” equipment falling within the scope of application of the ElektroG according to the new rules:
Aerials: External aerials, roof aerials, dipole aerials, rod aerials, telescope aerials, cable aerials, room aerials
Adapters, jacks, plugs: adapters (e.g. Display port to HDMI, DVI-HDMI, USB to Micro-USB), jack adapters (e.g. 6.35 mm to 3.5 mm), low-voltage couplers, travel plugs, telephone switchboxes, telephone adapters, plug adapters
Female connectors, power sockets for permanent or semi-permanent installation (e.g. on walls, floors, machinery) or snap-on mounting rails: Aerial sockets, aerial connecting sockets, three-wire power outlets, high-voltage current outlets, telephone sockets, telephone outlets
Factory-made cables: audio cables, display port cables, HDMI cables, cable extension reels, USB cables, USB extensions, extension cables
Switches, feelers for permanent or semi-permanent installation (e.g. on walls, floors, machinery) or snap-on mounting rails: light switches, emergency cut-out switches/feelers
Fuses: micro-fuses, NH fuses, other fuses
Source: Stiftung EAR; EAR InfoBrief 1/19
