Change in categories of EEE from January 2019

19. 11. 2018

Since August 15, 2018, an amendment to the Waste Act 185/2001 Coll., Concerning the change of the categories of electrical equipment and the extension of the range of electrical and electronic equipment covered by the take back, came into force. This amendment comes into force on 1st January 2019.

An electrical or electronic device is considered to be a device whose function is dependent on an electric current or an electromagnetic field or a device for the production, transmission and measurement of an electric current or electromagnetic field and which is intended for use at a voltage not exceeding 1 000 V for alternating current and 1 500 V for DC current.

Thanks to this legislative change an open scope of equipment, comes into force. This means that everything that is electrical equipment belongs to the scope of the law unless it is defined by the established exceptions. It is then divided according to the basic characteristics into the new six groups of EEE. In the current situation, the principle is reversed, unless the electrical equipment can be incorporated into 10 groups and is not mentioned in the exceptions, is not subject to the Waste Act.

Although the set of EEE has been expanding since 15. 8. 2018, their categorization remains the same until 1.1.2019. The Ministry of the Environment granted this exception because the change of categories in the middle of the year would lead to confusion in both the marketing and collection of WEEE.

New EEE Groups:

Heat exchange equipment – refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, vending machines and more Screens, monitors and devices containing a screen larger than 100 cm2 – televisions, computer monitors, laptops, Light sources – fluorescent lamps, lamps, LEDs, Large electrical appliances of any size greater than 50 cm – dryers, washing machines, sanitary appliances, dishwashers, stoves, etc. Small electrical appliances up to 50 cm – tools, toys, monitoring and measuring instruments, fixtures, etc. Small IT and telecommunication devices up to 50 cm – phones, keyboards, mice, small printers,

Exceptions according to the Act on Waste:

equipment intended for posting into space large stationary industrial kits large fixed installations, except for any device that is not specifically designed and installed as part of these installations means of transport of persons or goods non-road mobile machinery intended exclusively for professional use equipment specifically reserved for research and development purposes not normally available to consumers medical devices if they are expected to be the source of infection and active implantable medical devices before end of life

The ASEKOL collective system has already completed the process of re-registration with the Ministry of the Environment from the original 10 categories to the new six and is ready to provide its clients with a complete take-back service. That is why, with collectors in the collection network and on the part of producers and importers of electrical equipment, we make amendments to existing treaties reflecting current legislative changes. From 1.1.2019, the updated pricelist of rebooking fees will also apply.