Proposal for New Energy Efficiency Labelling Directive: EU Parliament Adopted Amendments

The EU Parliament has adopted amendments to the proposal of the European Parliament and of the Council setting a framework for energy efficiency labelling and repealing Directive 2010/30/EU. Members of Parliament voted on the proposed rescaling of labels in order to ensure a homogeneous A to G scale, the introduction of a product database as well as stronger market surveillance.

Rescaling of labels
The Parliament agreed that the Commission shall introduce rescaled labels for existing product groups within five years after the entry into force of the Directive. According to the Parliament, any future rescale shall aim for a validity period of at least 10 years. In future, the criteria triggering  rescaling procedures  shall be:
•    25% of the products sold within the EU market fall into the top energy efficiency class A; or
•    50% of the products sold within the EU market fall into the top two energy efficiency classes A+B.

Product Database
The product database shall provide information on energy-related products covered by the Directive both for customers and market surveillance authorities: Customers will be able to access the database via a public interface, organised as a consumer-oriented website. An electronic platform with clearly specified accessibility and security requirements shall be accessible for national market surveillance authorities.

Market Surveillance
In order to strengthen market surveillance, national market surveillance authorities shall do physical product testing which covers at least one product group per year. By January 1, 2018, Member States will have to establish a national market surveillance plan.

RoHS: Draft Technical Regulation Published in Eurasian Economic Union

In the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), the final draft Technical Regulation on the “Restriction of the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment” RoHS was published. The EEU is the former Customs Union (CU), an economic union of currently five countries of the former Soviet Union, among them e.g. Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus.

The forecasted date of entry into force of the EEU Technical Regulation on RoHS is March 1, 2018. The current draft TR on RoHS follows in two relevant parts the EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU: It stipulates substance restrictions for Lead (0,1 %), Mercury (0,1 %), Cadmium (0,01 %), Hexavalent Chromium (0,1 %), Polybrominated biphenyls, PBB (0,1 %) and Polybrominated diphenyl ethers PBDE; (0,1 %) and foresees the same thresholds. The four phthalates DEHP, BBP, DBP and DIBP, which are restricted in the EU beginning with July 22, 2019, are not regulated by this Draft TR.

However, there are significant differences regarding product scope, definitions, exemptions from substance restrictions and labelling requirements. In addition, before placing a product in scope on the EEU market, a specific conformity assessment has to be conducted and registration is required.

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

Packaging: New Draft Law Published in Germany

The German Federal Ministry of Environment (BMUB) is currently working on a draft for a new Packaging Law, which will repeal the Packaging Ordinance. Besides some new definitions which are intended to clarify terms of the law and higher collection and recycling targets, the current draft foresees some major changes in how the system for packaging will be administered in future:

The draft contains the set-up of a central authority (similar to the function of stiftung ear, the German WEEE producer register). It will manage the newly demanded registration for packaging in Germany and will be in charge to administer a Declaration of Completeness.
Impact on producer obligations

With the numerous changes proposed, producers will have to face new requirements, such as registration in the public register for packaging with the new central authority and submission of an annual Declaration of Completeness – even producers who do not meet the current annual thresholds for such declaration will have this obligation in future. Furthermore, the pricing structure of recycling fees will change, as the draft foresees fees based on recyclability of packaging.

A final draft of the law is not expected before early 2017.

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

Packaging: New Draft Law Published in Germany

The German Federal Ministry of Environment (BMUB) is currently working on a draft for a new Packaging Law, which will repeal the Packaging Ordinance. Besides some new definitions which are intended to clarify terms of the law and higher collection and recycling targets, the current draft foresees some major changes in how the system for packaging will be administered in future:

The draft contains the set-up of a central authority (similar to the function of stiftung ear, the German WEEE producer register). It will manage the newly demanded registration for packaging in Germany and will be in charge to administer a Declaration of Completeness.
Impact on producer obligations

With the numerous changes proposed, producers will have to face new requirements, such as registration in the public register for packaging with the new central authority and submission of an annual Declaration of Completeness – even producers who do not meet the current annual thresholds for such declaration will have this obligation in future. Furthermore, the pricing structure of recycling fees will change, as the draft foresees fees based on recyclability of packaging.

A final draft of the law is not expected before early 2017.

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

Webinars related to REACH and Take-Back of Batteries

1cc GmbH organizes two new webinars related to REACH and Take-Back of Batteries.

Both webinars will be offered in English. Please find below further information:

Title: REACH 2018 – How to Determine and Handle Your Registration Obligations Easily
Date: Tue, Oct 4, 2016 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM CEST
Speaker: Nadiia Kaiun, Consultant at 1cc
Sign up:  https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6095035333585531139

Title: Environmental Compliance for E-Bikes – Focus on Take-Back of Batteries
Date: Wed, Oct 12, 2016 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM CEST
Speaker: Solveig Legler, Senior Strategy Manager at 1cc
Sign up: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5197266497588530947

PS: Participation in these 1cc webinars is free. However, the number of participants in each webinar will be limited to 20 attendees.

Looking forward to your participation!

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.

Singapore: RoHS-like Legislation Published

On June 1, 2016, Singapore has published an Order amending the Second Schedule of the Environmental Protection and Management Act.
Coming into force one year later, on June 1, 2017, certain so called „controlled EEE (Electrical and electronic equipment)“ has to comply with the well-known RoHS substance restrictions in homogeneous material by weight:

Lead: 0,1 %
Cadmium: 0,01 %
Mercury: 0,1%
Hexavalent Chromium: 0,1%
Polybrominated Biphenyls: 0,1%
Polybrominated Diphenylether: 0,1%

Restrictions are limited to certain products as specified in the Act, e.g. Air conditioners, Televisions, mobile phones, portable computers or washing machines, etc. Several exemptions, following the wording in Annex III of EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU, are also applicable.

Restrictions apply for manufacture, import, sale or offer for sale but are not applicable for second hand-products.

Singapore is just one of several countries now adopting restrictions similar to EU ROHS Directive 2011/65/EU in order to restrict certain dangerous substances in EEE.

Need more information on RoHS worldwide? Contact us!

We are looking for a Country Research Specialist

Holzgerlingen, June 16 2016

1cc GmbH as one of the leading providers of full-range consulting services for waste and product related environmental compliance, seeks a Country Research Specialist to be based in Irving/Texas or Washington/District of Columbia.

Position Summary
This position is responsible for conducting research on legislative changes related to waste management, producer responsibility, restriction of hazardous substances and chemicals, energy efficiency, pollution control and related fields as well as copy right levies for electronic equipment occurring in the Americas region. This job can be based in Irving/Texas or Washington/District of Columbia. Candidates must be able to legally work in the United States.

Responsibilities
• Ensuring up to date knowledge of legislative changes in assigned countries through a variety of sources, such as governmental websites and authorities;
• Interpreting and documenting new and changed legislation for specific countries;
• Work closely with project management to determine regulatory requirements;
• Maintain processes required to deliver timely and accurate legislative and regulatory updates;
• Be committed to a team-oriented work environment and high quality standards.

Qualifications/skill
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills;
• Legal knowledge would be an advantage;
• Ability to perform research using the internet and various data bases;
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint;
• Must be able to prioritize and work independently;
• Must be able to work in an accurate, timely and reliable manner;
• Must be bi-lingual: English and either Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean or Japanese.

Education and work experience
• Bachelor’s Degree related to law, business administration or management, environmental science or engineering;
• 2+ years of work experience in a related field;
• Proven ability to research effectively from a computer through the internet.

1cc offer
• Challenging scope of duties and involvement in various projects for international customers;
• Professional, supportive and motivated team;
• We value creativity, initiative and commitment!

Please send your application to Johanna Terry (jobs@1cc-consulting.com).      

African Copyright Levy Systems in motion

Copyright Levy Systems are gaining popularity: More and more countries worldwide are implementing these mechanisms in order to ensure adequate remuneration for right holders. This being true for several African countries, here some light is being shed on three countries which just activated or amended their copyright levy system by legislative revisions. The following shall give a brief overview of the characteristics.

Morocco: Exemption for private copying and payment obligations had already been introduced by mid-2014. Now, tariffs as well as reporting and payment regulations have been implemented by a Royal Decree on 17 March 2016. While manufacturers obligations arise when putting the product into circulation, importers are required to declare product information, quantity and origin before the product will be imported to Morocco. The entitled collecting society BMDA (Bureau Maroccain du droit d´auteur) authorized customs to collect copyright levies on their behalf. 1cc received stakeholder information that preparations are ongoing and personnel is being trained in order to enforce the legal provisions at customs.

Mauritius: Mauritius is about to revise thoroughly its Copyright Act of 2014. The law provides for a private copying exemption and requires to pay an “equitable remuneration” to authors. However, it leaves room for interpretation for the remuneration. In addition to many organizational issues, for example, with regard to the representation of authors, many questions should be clarified now by law-amendments. Copyright levies on blank media are expressly included in the considerations of a consultative body.

Ivory Coast: Already since 1996, the Copyright Act allows the private copy and requires manufacturers and importers to pay remuneration. Competent authority BURIDA (Bureau Ivoirien du Droit D’Auteur) is empowered “[…] To collect and distribute all rights to remuneration recognized by the Act […] in particular the remuneration for private copying, equitable remuneration, the remuneration for reprographic reproduction […]”

We will keep you updated on the further developments.

Proposal for New Energy Efficiency Labelling Directive: Opinion of rapporteur Aldo Patriciello published

The EU Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) has sent its opinion on the proposal for the new Energy Efficiency Labelling Directive to the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE). ITRE is the responsible committee in the EU Parliament. The report, which has been prepared by rapporteur Aldo Patriciello, includes three major proposals for changes.

First of all, the ENVI Committee suggests that instead of fully emptying the top two product classes A and B, there should be a percentage limit that automatically triggers a rescaling review when more than 25% of the products sold to the EU market fall into class A, respectively 45% fall into classes A and B.

Besides, ENVI Committee does not agree with a periodic 10 year review cycle of the energy efficiency classes, but prefers a review upon product specific needs. Finally, the Committee proposes a few changes to clarify the use of electronic labels instead of labels affixed to the product.

The ITRE Committee is now called upon to consider this opinion and include the proposals into its position towards the Commission proposal. Overall, Members of Parliament have already filed over 500 amendments to the Commission proposal.

The ENVI opinion is available here:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-%2f%2fEP%2f%2fNONSGML%2bCOMPARL%2bPE-573.039%2b03%2bDOC%2bPDF%2bV0%2f%2fEN