take-e-way News and Press Releases

Today we report on the latest developments in France, as related decrees ensured by the French government have been officialised during the first weeks of January. Targeting to tackle the struggle of ever increasing waste and paving the way towards a circular economy (AGEC), the following overview will provide you the main changes implemented.

take-e-way had recently reported that in the first two weeks of March (1 – 18 March 2021), traders would need to replace labels for mains-operated refrigerators with direct sales function, mains-operated refrigerators between 10 and 1,500 litres in volume, mains-operated household dishwashers, television sets, monitors, certain signage displays, washing machines and washer-dryers. As of 1 September 2021, all E-labels for light sources must also be changed accordingly. However, the entry in the EPREL database (from which the energy labels are generated) is required from as early as 1 May 2021. Uncertainties currently exist in the market regarding the deadlines for relabelling since it is not always clear which requirement needs to be applied when reading the underlying legislation (Delegated Regulation 2019/2015/EU and Framework Regulation 2017/1369/EU). For the reasons specified above, it is advisable to deal with this topic in good time.

In spite of the pandemic, both the authorities and take-back schemes have been persistent in checking the compliances of companies regarding the national implementation of the WEEE (2012/19/EU), Battery (2006/66/EG) and Packaging (94/62/EG) Directives. In 2020 we were keen to participate, coordinate and support many of our clients in numerous audits. We would like to present to you a retrospect of the audits done in some countries last year and share the lessons we have learned so far. Through these experiences, we gained greater understanding of the subject to better support you.

According to the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, on 21 January 2021 the Federal Cabinet adopted a resolution on a proposal by Federal Environment Minister Svenja Schulze to amend the Packaging Act. Key content of the legislative amendment: In future, online marketplaces and fulfilment service providers will need to verify that manufacturers of packaged goods on their platform are listed with the German Foundation Central Agency Packaging Register (ZSVR) and comply with the Packaging Act. According to our latest information available, the Act is to take effect on 3 July 2021.

The list of registered producers and registered authorised representatives according to the German Batteries Act (BattG) is online. This enables competitors and public authorities, i.e. practically anyone to establish whether your batteries are duly registered. This involves new risks of being admonished if the required registration under the Batteries Act is not in hand.

In the first two weeks of March (1 – 18 March 2021), retailers must replace labels for mains operated refrigerators with direct sales function, mains operated refrigerators between 10 and 1500 litres in volume, mains operated household dishwashers, television sets, monitors, certain signage displays, washing machines and washer-dryers. This concerns both the products in shops and products offered on the Internet. Before that, only old energy labels may be shown, and afterwards only new ones. Missing labels must be requested from the relevant suppliers. If there is no new label, then the equipment affected must be sold off by 1 December 2021. Please bear in mind that the new labels must have corresponding test reports that must be placed in the EPREL database. If these are lacking, then new labelling is not possible. Preparing a test report is time-consuming, so please act promptly.

In its current information letter, the EAR foundation points out that all persons entitled to collect waste according to the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (i.e. in particular, producers and distributors obliged to take back waste) must also provide information on waste prevention measures. There is substantial scope in how to fulfil this information obligation. take-e-way helps you with the implementation of the new information obligations.

Do you sell packaged products or packaging to Sweden? If so, we would like to inform you that the Swedish government passed new producer responsibility regulations in the summer of 2018, which came into force at the turn of the year. As of 1 January 2021, producers are required to register with the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, join a take-back scheme for packaging and regularly report the quantities placed on the market. On the way to a successful registration we are of course happy to assist you.