Yesterday, the Bundestag debated a draft of a second law amending the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act.

The amendment is intended to implement the change to the EU Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment adopted in March 2024. The aim is to increase collection volumes. In addition, the fire risks posed by incorrectly disposed of or damaged lithium batteries are to be reduced. According to the federal government, municipal recycling centers currently collect around 80 percent of waste equipment from private households. They are to be given more specific guidelines, particularly for sorting devices with permanently installed batteries, so that these are less likely to be damaged during removal and collection. In addition, consumers will in future be able to return disused electrical appliances to retailers more frequently. The federal government's draft stipulates that collection points in stores must be uniformly labeled so that they are easier to find. A symbol visible on the shelf in brick-and-mortar stores or on the website when purchasing online should also inform consumers directly when purchasing an electrical appliance that it must be disposed of “separately from unsorted municipal waste” after use, according to the draft. New rules are also planned for e-cigarettes: to ensure that fewer of them end up in residual waste or the environment in future, disposal is to be simplified. Consumers will be able to return them free of charge wherever they are sold.

 
Further Information: External link to download the draft of the Second Act Amending the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (in German)
 

Sources:

• Press releases Bundestag (9.9.2025, 11.9.2025)
• Foto: AI-generated symbolic image (MS Designer)