The Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG) regulates that waste electrical and electronic equipment must not be disposed of with household waste but must be collected separately and recycled.

On January 1, 2022, a legal amendment (ElektroG3) came into effect.

This amendment stipulates that retailers, under certain conditions, are required to provide end users with information on the disposal of old appliances or offer free collection services.

Retailers of device categories 1, 2, and 4 (see explanations below) are required to:

• Inform end users during the ordering process about the option of free collection of a similar electrical device at the place of delivery.
• Ask whether they wish to use this service.
• If the user agrees, the retailer must collect the old device as part of the delivery of the new device
  (Information, inquiry, and collection obligation).

Retailers of device categories 3, 5, and 6 (see explanations below) are required to:

• Inform end users during the ordering process about the option of free return of a similar electrical device at designated disposal points.
• Ensure that such return points are reasonably accessible to the end user (Information and return obligation).

Device categories subject to information, inquiry, and collection obligation:

(1) Heat exchangers

(2) Screens, monitors, and devices with screens*

(4) Large appliances

* Devices with screens larger than 100 cm² (e.g., TVs, e-book readers, laptops, tablets, electronic picture frames, and other displays).

Device categories subject to information and return obligation:

(3) Lamps

(5) Small appliances

(6) Small IT and telecommunications devices

Retailers affected by the law amendment:

1. Retailers using storage and shipping areas for online sales with at least 400 m² of shelf space for electrical and electronic devices.
2. Grocery retailers who sell electrical and electronic devices regularly or permanently and have storage and shipping areas of at least 800 m², regardless of their use for specific products.