We help you navigate complex regulations, ensure country-specific registration, and manage reporting, take-back and recycling – so you can focus on your core business.
What is WEEE Compliance?
WEEE stands for Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment.
It refers to your legal responsibility to ensure the proper collection, treatment, recycling and reporting of electronic products you place on the market – in line with the EU WEEE Directive and national laws such as the German ElektroG.
As a manufacturer, importer or online seller of electrical and electronic equipment, you are legally required to meet WEEE compliance obligations across Europe.
This includes registration or licensing, take-back, disposal and recycling, but also quantity reports and reporting to the authorities.
Who is obligated under WEEE Compliance?
Obligated parties under WEEE:
Manufacturers
Companies that produce and sell EEE under their own name or brand.Importers
Businesses that import EEE from non-EU countries and sell it within the EU.Private label distributors / Own-brand sellers
Those who buy generic products and sell them under their own brand.Online sellers / distance sellers
Including sellers based outside the EU who sell directly to end users in an EU country (e.g. via a webshop or marketplace).OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers)
If they supply products to other companies who rebrand and sell them.
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WEEE registration with national authorities (e.g. stiftung ear in Germany)
Obtaining and managing WEEE numbers
Take-back and recycling system coordination
Ongoing quantity reporting & deadline tracking
Support in multiple EU countries
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
Andy Weinzierl, Founder & CEO, AW Mobility GmbH (soon: SUSHI Mobility GmbH)
We at SUSHI Bikes want to make e-bikes accessible to a broad target group as a sustainable mobility solution and offer correspondingly affordable pedelecs for urban areas. As a marketer of batteries, bicycles and packaging, we use the service of Deutsche Recycling. In this way we can ensure that we contribute to professional recycling and…
Björn Bröskamp, Sustainability Manager, TIER Mobility GmbH
TIER Mobility is a vision and mission-driven company for shared micro-mobility based in Berlin. Our vision is to lead the way towards seamless and sustainable mobility. We rethink urban transportation and reshape our cities’ landscapes by offering easily-accessible, affordable and sustainable mobility services. We have partnered with Deutsche Recycling to support us in the legal…
Orifarm GmbH
The Orifarm Group is one of the leading international pharmaceutical importers in Europe. Our own corporate values – determination, flexibility, responsibility and maximum customer benefit – are reflected in the customer service and service quality of Deutsche Recycling.
Christian Frey, Marketing Kommunikation, Suter Inox AG
As an exporter, the Swiss company Suter Inox AG has been looking for a competent and reliable partner who can implement the manufacturer’s obligations abroad. We commissioned Deutsche Recycling on the basis of its experience and services and are very satisfied with our decision. The quantity reports are our only effort, but after only a…
FAQ: WEEE Compliance (Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment)
What is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)?
WEEE Compliance refers to the legal obligations set by the EU WEEE Directive (2012/19/EU), which requires producers of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) to take responsibility for the collection, recycling, and environmentally sound disposal of their products once they reach end-of-life.
Each EU country has its own national implementation (e.g. ElektroG in Germany).
Who is obligated to comply with WEEE regulations?
WEEE obligations apply to any business that places EEE on the market for the first time in a specific country, including:
Manufacturers of branded products
Importers bringing products from outside the country
Private-label sellers or those selling under their own brand
Distance sellers / online sellers, even from outside the EU
If your company has no legal entity in the target country, you may need to appoint an Authorized Representative.
What products are covered under WEEE?
WEEE applies to nearly all electrical and electronic equipment designed for use with a voltage of up to 1,000V AC or 1,500V DC. Common examples include:
Computers, monitors, and laptops
Televisions and household appliances
Power tools, lighting equipment
Smartphones and tablets
Electronic toys and leisure devices
There are 10 product categories defined under the directive, but national implementations may vary slightly.
What are the key WEEE compliance requirements?
WEEE compliance typically includes:
Registration with national authorities (e.g. stiftung ear in Germany)
Obtaining a WEEE registration number
Product labeling (e.g. crossed-out wheeled bin symbol)
Reporting quantities placed on the market
Take-back and recycling systems for end-of-life products
In some cases, insolvency-proof guarantees (for B2C)
What are the risks of non-compliance with WEEE regulations?
Failure to comply with WEEE obligations can lead to:
Sales bans and blocked listings (especially on platforms like Amazon or eBay)
Fines and legal penalties
Import or customs delays
Backdated costs and reporting obligations
That’s why many companies choose to work with specialized service providers to manage WEEE compliance across multiple countries.