WEEE: German Associations Complain Lack of Take-Back Offers

Since July 24, 2016, customers can return their used electrical and electronic equipment at Point-of-Sale, including distance sellers. This new return possibility also applies to smaller devices, even if no new device has been bought.

However, according to recent press releases published by the German Umwelthilfe (environmental association) and the German Bundesverband Onlinehandel (German Association for Distance Selling), some distance seller, among them some bigger players, do not comply with this requirement. Customers who wanted to return their used devices could not do so.

Anyway, distance sellers are obliged to take back small devices (maximum side length of 25 cm) free of charge and, if there is no return station at reasonable distance, bear the costs for shipping.

1cc supports distance seller who have not yet established a take-back solution, with a respective service: Together with our sister company TechProtect, we have set up WEEE Collect4U. Besides the collection of outdated electrical and electronic equipment, WEEE Collect4U offers comprehensive consulting and services, e.g. with respect to new notification, reporting and information requirements.

For more information, please contact info@1cc-consulting.com.