Introduction

In Summer 2000, the EU commission approved drafts of the guidelines for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) [1] and the guidelines for the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS) [2]. These were subsequently presented to the European Parliament and the Member States for discussion and decision-making. Meantime, the German Mediation Committee between the Houses of Parliament accepted the papers. On 13 February 2003, the WEEE and RoHS guidelines were ratified, and finally in January 2005, they have been adapted into the national legislature.

The guidelines establish that consumers can return waste electrical and electronic equipment to the manufacturers free of charge. Manufacturers and importers will, at the end of a transition period, finance the treatment, reuse and environmentally safe disposal of waste equipment. For waste equipment already purchased before adoption of the guidelines, all manufacturers will share responsibility. Bilateral agreements can be made for capital goods.

The minimum weight for collection is four kilograms per inhabitant per year. For reuse and recycling the minimum weight applies. This regulation applies to electrical household equipment, electrical tools, consumer electronics, IT and telecommunication equipment, lamps and lights, toys, medical equipment, monitoring and control instruments as well as slot or vending machines. As of July 2006, lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium (VI), polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) are prohibited. Exceptions are provided for certain applications.