WEEE categories determine your obligations—and whether your registration with the ear Foundation is truly legally compliant. Under the “Open Scope” approach, all electrical and electronic equipment must be clearly assigned to one of the six main categories.
What has changed with “Open Scope”?
Since August 15, 2018, the open scope of application has been in effect under the ElektroG. This means that, in principle, all electrical and electronic equipment is covered by the law unless it is explicitly exempted.
- Voltage limits: The definition covers equipment designed to operate at an alternating voltage of no more than 1,000 volts or a direct voltage of no more than 1,500 volts.
- Category changes: With the transition, the number of product categories was reduced from ten to six main categories.
- Registration requirement: Manufacturers and importers must register their devices with the ear Foundation before placing them on the market. Failure to register results in a sales ban and may lead to legal consequences such as warnings.
An overview of the six main WEEE categories
Category 1: Heat exchangers: Electrical appliances of any size with an integrated circuit in which media other than water (e.g., refrigerants, oils, gases) circulate for cooling, heating, or dehumidification. Typical examples include refrigerators, air conditioners, and heat pumps.
Category 2: Screens, monitors, and devices with large displays Devices for displaying images or information on an electronic screen, provided the display area is larger than 100 cm² and the primary purpose is image display. These include monitors, televisions, or laptops with large displays.
- Category 3: Lamps Devices for generating light, specifically the light source itself, not the fixture. Usually made of glass, metal, or ceramic with a standardized base (e.g., E27, GU10); “smart” lamps with additional functions are also classified here.
Category 4: Large appliances (> 50 cm) Electrical appliances with at least one external dimension greater than 50 cm that do not already fall under categories 1 through 3. This includes, among other things, large household appliances and large photovoltaic modules for households (B2C).
- Category 5: Small appliances (≤ 50 cm) Electrical appliances with a maximum dimension not exceeding 50 cm that do not fall under Categories 1 through 4 or 6. This includes small PV modules for private use, small household appliances, tools, and many consumer products.
- Category 6: Small IT and telecommunications equipment Equipment for the collection, transmission, storage, or display of information, as well as for electronic signal transmission (voice, data, video), provided that no dimension exceeds 50 cm. Examples include smartphones, routers, small laptops, tablets, or GPS devices.
❗️Why choosing the right category is critical to your business
- Fees & Costs: The selected category directly affects the amount of fees payable for registrations, warranty checks, and administrative costs.
- Insolvency-proof guarantee (B2C): For devices intended for use in private households, proof of an insolvency-proof guarantee is mandatory. The amount of this guarantee (target amount) depends directly on the type of device within the category and the quantity placed on the market.
- Logistics & Take-Back: The category and type of device determine the logistical requirements for the subsequent take-back and collection of end-of-life equipment. The categories determine the assignment to so-called collection groups at municipal recycling centers. Depending on the category and quantity, manufacturers are obligated to arrange for pickup as soon as a full container is reported.
If a company fails to register properly or does not register at all, it faces hefty fines of up to 100,000 euros, immediate sales bans imposed by marketplaces, and costly cease-and-desist letters from competitors under competition law.
Contact us for comprehensive advice on your compliance issues relating to electrical and electronic equipment, packaging, batteries, and PV panels.
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