Bundesrat decides on penalties to be imposed for violating the obligation to take back electrical appliances
As of 1 June 2017, retailers face paying a fine if they fail to honour their duty to take back electrical and electronic appliances. Depending on how serious the offence is, the fine can be as much as 100,000 €. The schedule of penalties approved by the upper house, or Bundesrat, will allow the regional authorities in charge to take more effective action against retailers who make it difficult for consumers to return electrical appliances, or who refuse to take them back – both in high-street and online business.
The federal government would thereby like to ensure that there is a close-meshed network of collection points on the one hand and on the other hand fairness and a level playing field for retailers.