What is WEEE?
WEEE stands for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment. The EU WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU makes producers responsible for financing the collection, treatment and recycling of the electrical products they sell. It is a form of extended producer responsibility that each EU country implements in its own national law and register.
Since 2018, WEEE has an “open scope”: almost all equipment that depends on electric current or electromagnetic fields is covered, from chargers and LED lights to e-bikes, toys with electronics and digital signage players.
Core principle: Sell electrical products to consumers in an EU country and you need a WEEE registration in that country, even if you ship from abroad.
What producers must do
Register in each country
Producers register with each country’s WEEE register, for example stiftung ear in Germany, and receive a registration number.
Watch out for: Marketplaces must check WEEE numbers and block unregistered sellers.
Appoint an authorised representative
Businesses selling directly to consumers in a country where they are not established must appoint an authorised representative there.
Watch out for: Non-EU brands, and EU brands selling across borders, usually need one per country.
Report and finance
Producers report quantities sold per category and pay for collection and recycling, usually through a compliance scheme.
Mark the product
Products carry the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol and producer identification. Many countries also require retailers and online sellers to inform customers about free take-back.
WEEE, batteries and packaging
| Rule | Covers | Registration |
|---|---|---|
| WEEE | The electrical product | National WEEE register |
| Batteries Regulation | Batteries, including those built into products | National battery register |
| Packaging EPR | Product and shipping packaging | National packaging register, such as LUCID in Germany |
A power bank sold online in Germany therefore typically needs a WEEE registration, a battery registration and a packaging registration. If it contains lithium cells, it is also dangerous goods for transport.
Example: A UK company selling digital signage players to businesses and consumers across the EU registers with stiftung ear in Germany through an authorised representative, and uses compliance services for France and the Netherlands. Products without batteries avoid battery registration, but the packaging still needs registering in each country.
Frequently asked questions
Does WEEE apply to products without batteries?
Yes. WEEE covers electrical and electronic equipment whether or not it contains a battery. Batteries have their own separate rules.
Does WEEE apply to B2B sales?
Yes, but obligations differ for B2B and B2C equipment, and some countries register them separately.
Is one EU WEEE registration enough?
No. WEEE is registered country by country, usually with an authorised representative where you are not established.
What is stiftung ear?
The German national register for electrical and electronic equipment, where producers selling in Germany must register.
