Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE)
Under EU Directive 2012/19/EU (on waste electrical and electronic equipment) (the “WEEE Directive”) and implementing EU Member State regulations, producer registration and reporting must be carried out in each country for the correct EEE category.
In terms of collection and treatment, a distinction is made between professional-use (Business-to-Business; B2B) equipment and household-use (Business-to-Consumer; B2C) equipment and there are specific requirements depending on this classification when the equipment becomes WEEE.
B2C WEEE
Most countries rely on a approved Producer Compliance Schemes (PCSs) to manage collection and treatment of B2C WEEE
Compliance schemes that are approved by the relevant authorities are available for producers to transfer their registration, reporting, collection and treatment obligations to in almost every country. Producers comply ‘collectively’ with other producers through a scheme, which coordinates the collection and treatment of deposited WEEE on behalf of its members, in return for fees. For example, WEEE deposited at local municipal collection points, or handed over by distributors and retailers.
There is usually more than one scheme available, sometimes each with different product scopes and usually with different fees, costs and administrative steps. EARN can help your company join a suitable PCS for your equipment and manage all associated administration.
B2C WEEE in Germany
In Germany, producers cannot transfer their responsibilities for take-back and recycling of B2C WEEE to a local Producer Compliance Scheme
There is no ‘collective’ compliance option in Germany. Take-back and recycling always remains an individual producer responsibility.
The National Register for Waste Electrical Equipment (Stiftung EAR) is the responsible agency for implementing the Electrical Law in Germany. Producers in Germany must register with this agency, which manages reports and matches waste equipment volumes with the corresponding producers.
EARN offers a comprehensive service in Germany to fulfil the specific and unique obligations for producers of B2C EEE in Germany. Take advantage of our expertise in take-back solutions in to fulfil your obligations.
B2B EEE
Producers must make separate arrangements to collect and treat B2B WEEE for which they are responsible
There is no ‘collective’ producer compliance concept for B2B WEEE through a scheme. Take-back and recycling always remains an individual producer responsibility. B2B WEEE generally cannot be deposited at the same locations as B2C WEEE, for example, municipal collection points.
Most compliance schemes available in each country will carry out the administrative registration and reporting duties for B2B WEEE producers, and some can even provide suitable B2B WEEE take-back and treatment solutions, separate from their B2C WEEE operations. However, it very often makes sense for producers to implement their own individual take-back and treatment solution that can leverage additional benefits such as a tailored service for customers, being able to deal with unique business operations, and even deliver cost savings.
An individual B2B WEEE solution is essential where there is no compliance scheme service available. This is where EARN’s particular expertise comes in. A tailored individual solution is what sets us apart from other service providers and enables us to provide a full WEEE service.
EARN has an established network of local recycling partners, through which we arrange for B2B WEEE take-back and recycling, in compliance with country-specific regulations throughout Europe.