Revocation of the finding that a common collection system has been established for device batteries

The BMU, in coordination with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, has revoked the statement issued on 1 December 2009 to the effect that a joint take-back system for device batteries had been established.

At the request of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (Bundesumweltministerium - BMU), VERE e.V. hereby informs that the BMU, in coordination with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, has revoked the statement issued on 1 December 2009 to the effect that a joint take-back system for device batteries pursuant to Section 6 para. 1 and para. 3 of the German Batteries Act (BattG) had been established. The foundation joint battery return system (Gemeinsames Rücknahmesystem Batterien – GRS) in Hamburg, previously operating as a joint take-back system, will in future operate exclusively as a manufacturer’s own take-back system pursuant to Section 7 of the BattG.

This revocation has implications both for device battery producers and for market participants taking back device batteries. Owing to the absence of a common take-back system, the obligation to participate in such a system does not apply. Accordingly, under Section 6 para. 5 of the Batteries Act, manufacturers will in future be required to establish their own take-back systems under Section 7 of the Batteries Act or to participate in existing manufacturer-owned take-back systems. Moreover, due to the absence of a joint take-back system, in future take-back firms will no longer be obliged to tender or deliver any items to such a joint take-back system. They will therefore be able to choose freely between the manufacturers’ own take-back systems operating on the market. Each collection system must submit an offer for the free collection of device batteries. The collection of all device batteries is thus ensured.

Christoph Brellinger
Contact

Christoph Brellinger
Executive secretary

Phone: +49 40 750687-200

info@vereev.de