Packaging, WEEE and batteries · stiftung ear (WEEE register)
Germany ElektroG and WEEE
Register electrical equipment with stiftung ear before sale, appoint a representative if based abroad, and arrange take-back.
Key facts
| Registry | stiftung ear (WEEE register) |
|---|---|
| Timing | Register before the first placement on the market |
| Foreign producers | An authorised representative in Germany is required |
| Marketplace | Marketplaces verify the WEEE registration number |
| Take-back | Producer take-back and collection obligations apply |
| Last verified | 2026-10-18 |
The number is checked at listing time
German marketplaces ask for the WEEE registration number before an electrical listing can go live. The register is public, so a number that does not match the brand or the product category is easy to spot.
Registration is per producer and per category. Adding a new category means updating the registration and the reporting.
Representation is not optional for foreign sellers
A producer without a German establishment has to appoint an authorised representative. The representative handles the German-side obligations, but the producer remains responsible for the accuracy of the registration and the volumes reported.
Frequently asked questions
Does a battery-powered toy need ElektroG registration?
Electrical and electronic equipment can fall under ElektroG even when it is also a toy. Batteries add a separate stream. Check both the product category and the battery rules.
Can I use the manufacturer's WEEE number?
Only if that producer is the one placing the product on the German market. A reseller that imports under its own brand normally needs its own registration.
Ask a compliance question
Free first answer by email. Tell us the destination, the product and the channel — we will point you to the rule and the official source. No obligation, no sales sequence.