Obligations of producers

Each member state has to transpose the WEEE Directive into national law. This means producers who sell their products within EU countries have to comply with the different national laws.

Registration
Companies which want to sell electrical equipment in EU countries must register with the competent national register or environmental authority. Those that fail to register can not sell their products in EU countries and will be fined.

Reporting
Producers have to report their market sales in country-specific intervals, and have to report the data of their waste equipment which is separately collected, reused, recycled, recovered or even exported.  Producers are responsible to make sure that the reuse/recycling and recovery targets will be achieved by their recyclers. The verification of the respective data at your recyclers can be done by the SGS inspection auditor network.

Marking
Equipment which is put on the market after 13 August 2005 has to be marked. In Germany it is a must to mark after 24 March 2006.
The following marking shall be shown on the product:
       ●   a unique identification of the producer
       ●   information that the product is placed on the market after 13 August 2005 (date
            code or solid bar)
       ●   marking with the crossed-out wheeled bin

Marking standard EN 50419:2005
       ●   The marking should be accessible, durable, legible and indelible
       ●   The dimensional relationship of the crossed out wheeled bin symbol shall be
             maintained

Financial guarantee
Producers, who sell b2c equipment in Germany or would like to build up individual take-back systems, have to provide a financial guarantee when placing products on the market.

Collection, Treatment and Recovery
Producers are responsible for the collection, treatment and recovery in the Member States where they place equipment on the market. Therefore they need partners in different countries for collection and treatment of their waste. SGS team can assist you in finding a suitable recycling system/recycler or can build up your individual take back system.

Meeting recovery and recycling targets
Producers are responsible for ensuring that the recycling and recovery targets will be observed by their recyclers. The targets have to be met from the 31st of December 2006. The verification of the respective data at your recyclers can be done by the SGS auditor network.

Preparation of recycling information
Producers shall provide recycling facilities with information, in the form of a handbook or in data form on reuse and treatment for their electronic products. The information must state the components and materials, as well the dangerous substances in the equipment. The information has to be provided within one year after placement on the market.

SGS provides individual recycling information (WEEE Report) for your product. For questions about your recycling information please contact the WEEE team.

Product design
The design and production of electronic equipment shall facilitate the dismantling, reuse and recycling of WEEE.