in our newsletter 05/2021 we take a look at our German neighbour countries Austria and Switzerland as well as a little further, to Mexico and South Africa. Like in Germany, there are rights and obligations regarding product liability and registration of electrical devices.
The EU market surveillance regulation in Austria and Switzerland forms the framework for the market surveillance of products. Although Switzerland is not an EU member state, the confederates stick to the directive.
in Mexico and South Africa, new obligations and amendments to existing laws have come into force. You can find more information below.
Reminder: The amendment to the Packaging Act will come into force on July 3, 2021. This obliges online marketplaces and fulfillment service providers to check whether manufacturers of packaged goods adhere to the legal obligations and are registered in the packaging register of the central office.
Our staff is looking forward to assist you with any questions you may have about the packaging law.
South Africa: law change on registration mandatories
Until now, manufacturers and importers of electrical appliances, lights and lamps in South Africa were obliged to submit a "Waste Management Plan" to the Ministry of the Environment. On May 5, 2021, an amendment to the WASTE ACT 2008 (ACT NO. 59 OF 2008) came into force.
This obliges local manufacturers and importers who bring electrical appliances, lights, lamps, batteries and packaging to the market to register with the Department: Forestry, Fisheries and the Environement Republic South Africa in the SAWIC database. In addition, they have to join a disposal system. The deadline for this is November 5, 2021.
The legal situation in ZA has nothing to do with the EU directives. Therefore, unlike in the EU, a distinction is made between electrical appliances, lights and lamps. In the EU, all three fall under the WEEE directive.
The draft of an amendment to the law that will extend the obligation of the amendment to international online retailers is currently in preparation.
Deutsche Recycling helps its clients with the SAWIC database registration and with finding a disposal system.
All you need to know about rights & obligations pertaining to recycling and waste disposal
What you need to know about product liability in Austria and Switzerland: Extended producer liability, the difference between vRG and VEG as well as important information on CE labelling. What rights and obligations do you have in our neighboring countries? You will find all of this in our current blog.
Did you know that there are laws in Mexico that set the criteria for waste management? It is therefore necessary that the companies have a management plan. This confirms that the companies act in an environmentally conscious manner in accordance with the law.
On October 19, 2020, the Mexico City Environment Secretariat (SEDEMA) published the environmental standard (NADF-019-AMBT-2018) and thus the requirements for electrical and electronic waste and specifications for its management.
This regulation came into force at the beginning of this year and obliges manufacturers, marketers and distributors of electrical and electronic equipment to submit their waste management plan for electrical and electronic equipment before June 18, 2021.
As a manufacturer, marketer or distributor of electrical and electronic equipment in Mexico City, you are obliged to implement the requirements. Electronics are classified as hazardous waste and therefore require a disposal plan so that their disposal can be reported to the environmental authorities.
It is important that you comply with these regulations to help prevent and reduce negative effects on the environment.
In addition, you will of course avoid fines.
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