WEEE; 2002/96/EC

The WEEE Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment came into force in February 2003. The purpose is to reduce waste by either recycling electrical and electronic equipment or reducing the quantity of hazardous substances in waste and promoting their safe disposal. The directive affects, among other things, large and small household appliances, IT and telecommunication equipment, monitoring and control devices, lighting and entertainment electronics.

Manufacturers and importers have been obliged since August 2005 to take back old equipment for disposal at their own cost. The WEEE directive should be considered in direct connection with the RoHS directive. The two complement one another and have the common objective of improving environmental protection in the European Union. In Germany, the WEEE directive has been embodied in national law by the Elektrogesetz (ElektroG, Electrical and Electronic Equipment law) which came into force in March 2005.