Photovoltaic WEEE Service

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive of the European Union (WEEE, 2012/19/EU) was transposed into national law in Germany by the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG).

The new Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act took effect on 24 October 2015. Photovoltaic modules have since been subject to the scope of application of the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act, i.e. they are electrical appliances by definition. This means that producers (first-time marketers) of photovoltaic modules have had to be registered under the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act since 1 February 2016. Registration is required before PV modules are offered or sold in Germany. PV modules that were already packaging placed on the market before that date do not have to be registered subsequently, but in the event of dismantling/disposal they must be treated in line with the requirements of the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act, and the quantity flows need to be reported to the competent authority, namely the EAR foundation. This also applies in the event of reuse, which is explicitly provided for by the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act.

Inverters have already been within the the scope of the Electrical and Electronic Act since 2005 and, depending on their edge length, must be registered as small or large appliances and treated and disposed of accordingly, with corresponding reporting obligations.

Storage systems are to be classified as industrial batteries according to the Battery Act (BattG) and registered as such. Purchasers are to be offered free return options, and corresponding quantity balances and evidence are to be submitted to the competent authority (Federal Environment Agency) as regards the quantities disposed of. This service is also carried out by take-e-way on your behalf.
 

take-e-way will assume the complete monitoring, control and reporting for PV modules and inverters for well-known international PV producers / marketers. Since 2016, over 60% of all registered PV modules have been reported to the market and more than 60% of all collections organised.
 

In the field of own take-back activities, take-e-way’s market share exceeds 90%. This market leadership enables take-e-way to provide its customers with the very best service at the best prices available.

Since 2016 all EU countries have implemented the Directive regarding PV.

For this reason, producers / marketers of photovoltaic modules usually register in several EU countries at the same time, or require registration in EU and neighbouring countries at different times.

We offer the appropriate framework agreement for this purpose so that producers can adapt their registrations to their international projects and distribution channels at any time.

As we have different national implementations with regard to the 3 EU directives in all countries, take-e-way supports the examination for legal certainty with regard to producer-specific parameters (distribution channels, product allocation, etc.).

If you have any questions regarding registration within the EU and neighbouring countries, please contact our PV expert Michaela Lepke for a consultancy appointment