WEEE - the electronic scrap Directive (2002/96/EC)

The European Directive on waste electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE) governs the putting on the market, the take-back and the environmentally sound removal of such products. What was planned as a European-wide approach to solve the WEEE problem, has developed into a test case for the harmonisation of the single European market.

RoHS - the hazardous substances Directive (2002/95/EC)

The European Directive on the restriction of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS) defines limits for the proportion of the six substances lead, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and cadmium per homogeneous material in products. Numerous, partially only nationally valid and sometimes very detailed, exceptions apply.

REACh - the chemical substances Directive (1907/2006)

The European Directive on the registration, evaluation, authorisation, and restriction of chemical substances, together with other existing rules, for the first time regulates the handling of chemical substances, mixtures, and finished products. Depending on weight band and risk exposure the different substances have to be registered until one of several deadlines. For most companies, the REACh Directive mainly affects the supply and sales chain communication.

PACK - the packaging Directive (94/62/EC)

The European Directive on packaging and packaging waste is one of the oldest rules that has already been in effect during EEC times. It addresses the putting on the market of packaging as well as the take-back and removal of packaging waste. The goal of the numerous amendments in the last years was a European-wide harmonisation. While mainly updates of existing rules can be observed in older member states, new European countries often implement this directive for the first time.

BATT - the batteries Directive (2006/66/EC)

The European Directive on (waste) batteries and (waste) accumulators regulates the putting on the market, the take-back and the environmentally sound removal of primary (non-rechargeable) and secondary (rechargeable) batteries. As this rule is still young, many European member states are still in their initial implementation process.

EUP - the energy efficieny Directive (2005/32/EC)

The European Directive on the efficiency of energy using products (EUP) defines a framework for the requirements of an ecological product design ("eco-design"). It explicitely covers all kinds of energy, not only electricity. Popular topics in the context of the EUP Directive are the reduction of stand-by losses and the ban of the conventional light bulb.