FAQs

The best FAQ on the market from ECOLOGICON

We have compiled some key questions of our customers and partners related to the business areas that our solutions cover. In a nutshell, you can quickly find key information on WEEE, batteries, packaging as well as textiles and on our other services.
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WEEE FAQ

Your questions - our answers

Which EU directive serves as the framework for WEEE?

Directive 2012/19/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2012 on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) serves as the framework for the national implementation by the EU member states. This Directive supplements to the Fifth Environmental Action Programme of the European Union
The purpose of the WEEE Directive is to reduce the disposal of waste and to contribute to the efficient use of resources and the retrieval of valuable secondary raw materials.

This Directive replaced Directive 2002/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 January 2003 on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), which had been in force until then.

Who is affected by the WEEE Directive?

Basically, anyone who places electrical and electronic equipment on the market for the first time, whether delivered to private households, businesses or public bodies, can be held liable. This includes manufacturers, distributors – including online stores and mail order companies – and importers.
According to the WEE Directive, a producer is any natural or legal person who places products on the market in any EU member state. This either can be the producer of the products itself, but also the reseller, irrespective of whether the reseller is established in the respective EU Member State or places on the market of that Member State from a third country.

What is classified as electrical and electronic equipment (EEE)?

Whether the company’s products are classified as electrical and/or electronic equipment depends, among other things, on the characteristics of the respective product, as well as its application. It must be evaluated whether this Directive shall apply to the respective products.

What are my obligations?

You already have to meet specific labelling requirements for your electrical and electronic equipment in all EU Member States. In addition, we can advise you on your producer responsibility in all EU member states where you have to fulfill further obligations and support you on the registration and reporting process as well as any other administrative requirements.

Batteries and Accumulators FAQ

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Which EU directive serves as the framework for batteries and accumulators?

The Directive 2006/66/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 September 2006 on batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators regulates the manufacture and disposal of batteries in the European Union. The primary objective of the Battery Directive is to minimise the negative impact of batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators on the environment, thus contributing to the protection, preservation and improvement of the quality of the environment.

This Directive repeals Directive 91/157/EEC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 March 1991 on batteries and accumulators containing certain dangerous substances, which was in force until that date.

Who is affected by the WEEE Directive?

Producers, importers and distributors of batteries and accumulators who place batteries on the market for the first time on a professional basis. Basically any initial distributor is affected.
According to 91/157/EEC, a producer is any natural or legal person who places batteries or accumulators, including batteries or accumulators incorporated into appliances or vehicles, on the market within the territory of any EU Member State. This either can be the producer of batteries and accumulators, but also the reseller, irrespective of whether the reseller is established in the respective EU Member State or places on the market of that Member State from a third country.

What types of batteries or accumulators do exist?

All relevant definitions can be derived from Article 3of the Battery Directive (EU Directive 2006/66/EC):

What are my obligations?

You already have to meet specific labelling requirements for your batteries and accumulators in all EU Member States. In addition, we can advise you on your producer responsibility in all EU member states where you have to fulfill further obligations and support you on the registration and reporting process as well as any other administrative requirements.

How do I ensure the recycling of waste batteries?

All Member States ensure that appropriate collection and recycling schemes are in place for waste portable batteries and accumulators. For some types of batteries (e.g. industrial batteries) there are more extensive requirements, on which we will be happy to advise you.

Textiles FAQ

Your questions - our answers

Which EU directive is to be expected?

First of all, Regulation (EU) 1007/2011 on textile fiber names and related labelling and marking of the fiber composition of textile products has been in force in the EU since 2012.

The EU Commission has published an EU textile strategy to transform the linear business model of the textile industry into a circular economy:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12822-EU-Strategie-fur-nachhaltige-Textilien_de

The European Commission’s textile strategy published in March 2022 will show the extent to which the EU Commission will tighten the legal requirements.

Who is affected?

Any actor along the textile value chain is affected (producers and recyclers, for example on substances of concern, on repair or on the fibre composition) It is estimated that more than 160,000 actors are affected across the EU. However, the impact will be noticed across all supply chains on a global scale.
It will be a challenge to integrate the new framework conditions into production facilities and procurement structures, particularly in emerging and developing countries. This should be done as early as possible.

Which textiles and fashion goods are affected?

There will be no exceptions: all textile products, clothing, fabrics, fibers and yarns are affected.

What are my obligations?

You already have to meet specific labelling requirements for your textile products in all EU Member States. In addition, we can advise you on your producer responsibility in all EU member states where you have to fulfill further obligations and support you on the registration and reporting process as well as any other administrative requirements.

Packaging FAQ

Your questions - our answers

Which EU directive serves as the framework for packaging?

Directive 94/62/EC of 20 December 1994 on packaging and packaging waste serves as the framework for the national implementation by the EU member states. The main objective of the Packaging Directive is to prevent and reduce the environmental impact of packaging waste and to ensure the functioning of the internal market. The Packaging Directive (94/62/EC) was last amended by Directive 2015/720/EU (OJ L 115, 6.5.2015, p. 11).

Who is affected by the WEEE Directive?

Producers, importers, distributors as well as online retailers of packaging who place batteries on the market for the first time on a professional basis. Basically any initial distributor is affected.
According to Packaging Directive 94/62/EC, a producer is any natural or legal person who places packaging on the market in any EU member state. This either can be the producer of the packaging itself, but also the reseller, irrespective of whether the reseller is established in the respective EU Member State or places on the market of that Member State from a third country. Those involved in the import of packaging and packaged products are also classified as producers.

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What is classified as packaging?

Directive 94/62/EC defines packaging as all products made of any materials of any nature to be used for the containment, protection, handling, delivery and presentation of goods. ‘Non-returnable’ items used for the same purposes shall also be considered to constitute packaging.

‘Packaging waste’ shall mean any packaging or packaging material covered by the definition of waste in Directive 2008/98/EC, excluding production residues

What are the types of packaging?

‘Packaging’ consists only of:

Sales packaging,
Grouped packaging or secondary packaging,
Transport packaging or tertiary packaging,
Despatch packaging or
Service packaging

We will also advise when participating in the dual system is mandatory.

Packaging subject to system participation is explained in detail in the following video:

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What are my obligations?

You already have to meet specific labelling requirements for your pakaging products in all EU Member States. In addition, we can advise you on your producer responsibility in all EU member states where you have to fulfill further obligations and support you on the registration and reporting process as well as any other administrative requirements.