Amendment of the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act
Currently, there is a draft by the BMUV for a Third Act to Amend the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG). The draft has not yet been (finally) coordinated within the federal government. It is scheduled to come into effect on January 1, 2026.
Key content of the draft:
The bill aims to improve the removal of lithium batteries at the point of collection at municipal collection sites. Additionally, through the enhancement and standardization of consumer information [and the expansion of collection in retail (see below; there is no unified position within the federal government on this.)], more waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is to be captured separately from unsorted municipal waste.
At municipal recycling centers, where currently about 80% of the separately collected WEEE from private households is captured, the specifications for sorting WEEE are to be further clarified to improve the removal of lithium batteries and the overall quality of collection by preventing damage.
Furthermore, consumer communication is to be further standardized nationwide and immediate information about the obligation for separate collection is to be provided at the point of sale.
Expansion of collection in retail: The bill aims to allow the so-called 0:1 take-back, meaning the return of an old small electrical appliance without the purchase of a new corresponding appliance, for small electrical appliances with a maximum edge length of up to 50 cm (previously 25 cm).
