Germany is facing stricter regulations regarding electronic cigarettes and electronic tobacco heaters. After Brandenburg and North Rhine-Westphalia called for stricter regulation at the Conference of Environment Ministers in Leipzig, Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider has now announced a law to ban single-use vapes. The impetus to take action is growing due to the proposed ban on single-use vapes and the requirement to return all devices. Not only that, but producers and retailers should be especially aware of the upcoming take-back obligation in addition to the anticipated sales bans.
Take-back obligations do not just apply to single-use devices!
One key aspect of the amendment to the German Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG) is often overlooked: the take-back obligation applies not only to single-use vapes but also to all electronic cigarettes and electronic tobacco heating devices. Under Section 46 of the amended ElektroG, retailers must establish take-back points by 30 June 2026. Only shops that no longer sell these products after that date will be exempt from the requirement.
From 1 July 2026, retailers will also be required to accept used devices free of charge, even where no new purchase is made. In addition, they must comply with information obligations and adhere to the European dangerous goods regulations (ADR), as lithium-ion batteries are particularly sensitive to damage. Therefore, affected companies must meet the following requirements:
- Adaptation of sales and information structures
- Establishment or implementation of legally compliant take-back systems
- Compliance with dangerous goods regulations during storage and transport
- Preparation for the implementation of the ElektroG amendment from July 2026
Take-back systems as an effective deployment solution
Specialised systems are already available for implementation. The take-e-back take-back system from take-e-way enables the legally compliant collection and disposal of end-of-life equipment and explicitly includes electronic cigarettes and tobacco heaters.
The system provides support in the following areas:
- Legally compliant take-back and disposal
- Safe handling of lithium-ion batteries
- Integration into existing processes
- Implementation of environmental, safety and compliance requirements
High return volumes are anticipated, especially in urban areas like Hamburg, Berlin, Cologne, Leipzig, and Munich. Retail, e-commerce, and stationary sellers are notably impacted.
Early adoption of professional take-back systems, such as take-e-back from take-e-way, ensures legal certainty and complies with future environmental and compliance regulations.
Find out everything there is to know about the take-e-back comprehensive solution for e-cigarette disposal and take-back.
For further questions and solutions regarding e-cigarette take-back systems, the take-e-way advisory team is happy to assist you at 040/750687-0 or consulting@take-e-way.de.
