ElektroG: 2026 Amendment Brings These Changes

More information, a mandatory symbol, and new return points for used e-cigarettes: With these and other measures, the legislator aims to ensure that old electrical appliances end up in the bin less frequently in the future. We explain what the amendment to the Electrical Equipment Act specifically means for you as a manufacturer, retailer, or private individual.

Electrical appliances do not belong in general waste. But how should they be disposed of or recycled? This is regulated by the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act, also known as ElektroG for short. It specifies what to do with household appliances, PCs and smartphones, lamps, screens, and many other types of devices when they reach their "end of life." You can read about the changes the law has undergone as of January 1, 2026, in this blog post.

Three reasons why the ElektroG needs an amendment

The ElektroG was introduced in 2005 and has been revised multiple times since then. As of January 1, 2026, the legislator has amended it again for the following three reasons:

1. In an increasing number of products, lithium batteries are permanently installed. The fire potential is high if they are disposed of with household waste. Fires in waste collection vehicles, at recycling centers, and in waste treatment plants are not uncommon. The Federal Association of the German Waste, Water and Circular Economy estimates that up to 30 fires occur daily. Major fires at waste disposal companies cause millions in damages. The legislator is responding to this danger.
2. Regularly, new types of electrical appliances are entering the market. Suitable methods for take-back, disposal, and recycling must first be established. A major current problem is disposable e-cigarettes, which users often do not classify as electrical appliances.
3. The minimum collection rate, mandated by the European Union, is significantly undershot by Germany. In 2023, it was 29.5 percent. However, the requirement is that the quantity of collected waste electrical appliances in one year must correspond to at least 65 percent of the total weight of all electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market on average in the three preceding years. This means Germany needs to improve in collecting defective or no longer used devices.

The latest amendment, whose measures largely apply from January 1, 2026, does not bring fundamental changes but introduces several individual measures.

ElektroG: What changes for consumers in 2026

• At the municipal recycling center: You are no longer allowed to throw electrical appliances into a container yourself. This task will be handled by trained staff, ensuring that batteries are removed and devices are sorted correctly. 
• For smokers: If you use disposable e-cigarettes or tobacco heaters, you can return them free of charge to retailers who sell these products – even without making a purchase. This includes many grocery stores, gas stations, kiosks, and tobacco shops.
• In supermarkets, discount stores, and at retailers selling electrical appliances: You will be able to more easily identify collection and return points in retail stores in the future. The uniform green symbol with the inscription "Elektrogeräte Rücknahme" (Electrical Appliance Return) must be clearly displayed in the entrance area. Similarly, at the sales shelf for electrical appliances, you should be informed by means of the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol that you must dispose of old appliances separately from general waste. 
• In online retail: Online shops that sell electrical appliances must also display the green symbol clearly visible on the product page or during the ordering process in the future. Furthermore, they must inform customers how they can exercise their right to return old appliances in online retail. Typically, shops offer this via shipping or through a partner network with local drop-off points. 

ElektroG Amendment: What retailers and online shops need to pay attention to now

• As mentioned above, as a retailer – whether brick-and-mortar or e-commerce – you have additional information obligations if you are required to take back old electrical appliances. For retailers, the law defines the size and display of the notice with the green symbol and the inscription "Elektrogeräte Rücknahme" (Electrical Appliance Return). It must be in color and at least DIN A4 size. A transitional period applies until June 30, 2026.
• If, for example, as a grocery store, kiosk, gas station, or tobacco shop, you are required to take back e-cigarettes and tobacco heaters, you will need sturdy containersfor safe collection. Do not store the electrical appliances in the store for too long due to the fire potential; instead, arrange for regular collection or handover to a certified waste disposal company or a municipal recycling center. A transitional period until June 30, 2026, also applies to the take-back obligation for e-cigarettes.

ElektroG Amendment also affects manufacturers

Extended information obligations apply not only to retailers towards private individuals but also to manufacturers towards B2B customers. If they ship electrical appliances, they must now inform their customers in writing with the shipment and clearly visible in their "presentation media" that 

• the devices must be disposed of separately from general waste. 
• batteries and lamps must be removed beforehand, if possible, without destroying the product.
• what options you as a manufacturer provide for taking back and disposing of old appliances.
• personal data should be deleted from devices.

This information obligation already existed, but the law did not specify how the manufacturer had to inform its customers.

Conclusion: The Electrical Equipment Act affects us all

The latest amendment to the ElektroG introduces clearer information obligations and stricter requirements for sorting electronic waste to minimize the fire risks of lithium batteries, increase collection rates, and thus return more old electrical appliances to the circular economy. 

The ElektroG affects not only manufacturers, retailers, and consumers but also all companies that generate electronic waste. This includes the local heating engineer who removes an old oil heating system with its controls from a customer's premises, as well as large corporations that use countless devices. In any case, professional and compliant waste management is essential. 

As a certified waste management company , elorec specializes in accepting, sorting, and professionally processing your used electrical appliances. Your electronic waste can be dropped off at our Essen location, or you can have it conveniently collected by us within North Rhine-Westphalia. We will provide you with all necessary documents for preparation and transparent documentation. Do you have any questions beforehand? Then feel free to contact us !