International Regulations when Exporting from Germany – You Must Comply with these Regulations

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1 Special regulations when exporting electrical equipment

2 Why international regulations apply to companies from Germany

3 Regulations for export to other EU countries

4 Regulations for exports outside the EU

6 Sanctions and complications if export regulations are not observed

Since the introduction of the WEEE directive and other regulations for the export of the electrical and electronic equipment retailers have been required to concentrate on the reduction of waste. This means that an exporter has to take care of compliance with the minimum standards for dealing with waste electrical equipment and act in line with the ElektroG. Not only for deliveries within Germany, but also for exports within the EU the retailer has to guarantee return of waste equipment and turn his focus in manufacturing to recovery and recyclable materials.

Special regulations when exporting electrical equipment

The WEEE directive governs both the placing on the market and the return of electrical and electronic equipment within the EU. Here, you must note that the requirements in the individual countries vary and can entail differences. The effort involved for a global solution in the European Union are time-intensive and complex. It is therefore worthwhile to find out about the valid legal regulations in the country you are exporting to and avoid faux-pas before exporting. For example, the transposition of the WEEE directive in Austria is the EAG-VO (Waste Electrical Equipment Ordinance – Elektroaltgeräteverordnung) and in Switzerland the VREG (Ordinance on the Return, Acceptance and Disposal of Electrical and Electronic Equipment – Verordnung über die Rückgabe, die Rücknahme und die Entsorgung elektrischer und elektronischer Geräte).

Why international regulations apply to companies from Germany

German legislation applies to delivery within Germany. This is where the obligations to accept the return of, recycling and recovery of the electrical equipment for bricks-and-mortar and online retail are laid down in detail. If you want to export your goods you are bound by the special regulations in the country you are delivering to as well as the German regulations. This means that, for example, you are also complying with the AWV/AWG registration duties and become subject to the legislation in foreign trade. These registration duties apply not only to the export of electronic equipment, but to all exports in the traffic of goods outside the EU.

Regulations for export to other EU countries

Exports to other EU countries are usually defined in a generally valid regulation in the European Union. Even if, for example, there are marginal differences with respect to the recovery, return and recycling of waste electronic equipment, the basics are comparatively identical. In this case, the EU has ensured a simplified regulation, whereby although you need to be familiar with the co-ethics of the country of origin, in most cases you will not be faced with major problems and deviations from the German regulations. Nevertheless, the country-specific laws should not be ignored.

Regulations for exports outside the EU

Exports outside the EU require a great deal of attention. Here, you cannot just rely on the WEEE or other standards that apply throughout Europe. Much rather, you have to really get to grips with the regulations stipulated by the country of you foreign contracting partner. In the event of contraventions, there may be legal difficulties with expensive consequences and sanctions, both in Germany and in the country to which the electrical equipment is being delivered.

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Guidelines: Return and Recycling in E-Commerce

Anyone who trades in products is subject to binding disposal and recycling duties, non-compliance with which can lead to considerable sanctions and warnings

The problem: many retailers are not aware of their obligations. But only someone who acts with legal certainty is safe from unplanned costs and fines.

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National regulations for importers

If you import domestic appliances and electrical equipment or clothing and footwear with electronic components, all of the regulations valid here apply. This means that your import is subject to the WEEE directive and the AWV/AWG registration duty. Furthermore, as the party who places the products on the market, you are required to accept the return of waste equipment and keep a history log from delivery to you up to delivery to the end customer. Since the used equipment is disposed of in Germany, in spite of production abroad only the regulations that are relevant to you as an importer under legislation here apply.

Sanctions and complications if export regulations are not observed

Contraventions and non-compliance with the export regulations are sanctioned with high fines. Complications should not be underestimated since failing to comply with a regulation can result in the product being held at customer and not handed over to the recipient. Since the penalties and sanctions are easily triggered, you as an exporter should get to grips with the laws in the delivery country in depth and rule out faux-pas resulting from ignorance or incorrect procedures. Sanctions are also imposed if you demonstrably do not have expert knowledge and have made an error due to ignorance.

Do you have any questions, need in-depth advice or do you want to be relieved of these obligations while conforming to the law? Feel free to contact us! Deutsche Recycling will support you with expertise and reliably.