Disclaimer: To the best of our knowledge, this document is accurate as of June 18, 2006. However, the Department of Commerce does not take any responsibility for actions companies may take based on the information contained herein. This information should not be construed to constitute legal advice.
Registration of foreign producers
Please note the new updates to "Registration of Foreign Producers."
Overview
The European Union enacted the Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directives on February 13, 2003. This legislation focuses primarily on the reduction of damage to the environment arising from the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and the waste from these products. On February 23, 2005, Germany integrated both directives into its own law with the Act Governing the Sale, Return and Environmentally Sound Disposal of Electrical and Electronic Equipment, known as the ElektroG. The ElektroG establishes significant new responsibilities for companies wishing to sell their products in the German market. For most producers, establishing a clearinghouse as well as registration with the German federal government’s official clearinghouse is now a prerequisite for selling EEE goods in Germany. Furthermore, firms producing such goods are responsible for the take-back, recycling and disposal of their products. The EU directives and the German law will thus have a major impact on companies exporting goods into the German and the European market and it is important for U.S. firms to familiarize themselves with them. The IT sector is one of the largest industries effected by the new law, in addition to products such as small and large household appliances, lighting equipment, electrical and electronic tools, toys, sports and leisure equipment, medical products, monitoring and control instruments, and automatic dispensers.
With the aim of implementing EU legislation on WEEE and RoHS into
national law, Germany passed on March 23, 2005, the
“Act Governing the Sale, Return and Environmentally Sound
Disposal of Electrical and Electronic Equipment”, known as the
ElektroG.
An English version of the law is available on the Federal
Ministry of Environment’s web page: http://www.bmu.de/files/pdfs/allgemein/application/pdf/elektrog_uk.pdf
Documents Regarding WEEEs & RoHS in PDF form available for Download:
- Overview of the WEEE, RoHS, and German ElektroG Legislation (updated July 29, 2005)
- ElektroG (English Translation)
- Cost Ordinance concerning the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act
- RoHS Enforcement GuidanceGuide to Registration
Please visit the Frequently Asked Questions Sections under the side menu.
Further questions may be directed to Mr. John Lumborg, Commercial Specialist, Berlin.