Latest developments in the ElektroG: Open Scope

Due to the revision of the ElektroG in 2015, substantial changes are coming into force next year affecting the sale of electronic Equipment.
 

What should companies that have already registered look out for?

As of 15th August 2018, a field of application known as Open Scope will be introduced, reducing the number of categories from ten to six.

Automatic transfer procedure

Stiftung ear will automatically transfer your products to the new categories. For each existing product category, a successor category has been defined. The assignment is shown here. However, automatic transfer does not necessarily mean that the products will be correctly assigned. In future, equipment will primarily be assigned according to size rather than function.

Checking that electrical and electronic equipment is correctly transferred

Companies that are already registered with stiftung ear need to check whether their products have been assigned to the correct category during the automatic transfer procedure. To help you with this, stiftung ear has published a decision tree which you can use to determine which new category your electrical and electronic devices are assigned to. You may have to measure the dimensions of your equipment. Stiftung ear has also published a set of instructions for doing this.


Charges payable to stiftung ear

When registering new devices, such as furniture or items of clothing, the usual application fees are payable to stiftung ear.
No charge is made for the automatic transfer of electrical and electronic equipment. However, if your products are not assigned to the correct category and you apply for the assignment to be changed, stiftung ear will charge a fee for this. An overview is available here.

Attention: Please note that stiftung ear will be changing its fees next year. The new schedule  of fees is currently being finalised. As soon as the Stiftung ear has published the new fees, we will update you.


Clothing and furniture fitted with electrical features will also have to comply with the ElektroG

As of 15 August 2018, clothing and furniture will also have to comply with the ElektroG. Products such as electrically adjustable writing desks or shoes fitted with blinking lights will have to be registered with stiftung ear before sales begin. Please remember that registering with stiftung ear can take up to three months. We will be happy to assist you with the registration.
 

Schedule for implementing the Open Scope System

  • 1/05/2018: Applications for new types of devices can be made
  • 15/08/2018: Registrations awarded for new types of devices
  • 26/10/2018: Automatic transfer of existing registrations by stiftung ear
  • 15/11/2018: Deadline for requesting changes in the automatically transferred registrations
  • 01/01/2019: End of transitional provisions: All manufacturers must be registered in the correct category. Deadline for new registrations of automatically transferred registrations.


Current status in other EU countries

The open scope category is also being introduced in other European countries in line with the WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU. Certain countries, such as Austria, have already implemented the changes. Some European countries do not intend to introduce the Open Scope system until 1 January 2019. Since implementation varies from one EU country to the next, manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment should find out in good time the current situation in the respective countries in which they operate. For example, several subcategories may be introduced as well as changes in the pricing system. It may also be necessary to register new products.


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If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with us!