International Review of Waste Management Policy - Department of ...

26.3 Key Organisations Involved in Implementation and
Management
Manufacturers and retailers are only allowed to put portable batteries (including
those incorporated into appliances) on the market if they ensure that the consumer
can return the batteries free of charge (Article 3 BattV). To that aim the
manufacturers must ensure the collection of used portable batteries by establishing a
common collection and recycling system, or by participating in such a system. As a
consequence the GRS was established, providing a fund for the uniform and nationwide
collection of spent portable batteries in Germany. GRS was founded in May
1998 by leading battery manufacturers and the German Electrical and Electronic
Manufacturers' Association (ZVEI). The fund is financed by contributions from its
users. Manufacturers and importers pay contributions to the foundation for the
services rendered, through a trustee, and in accordance with the quantity and type of
batteries sold in Germany. At the end of 2007 901 producers and importers were
members of the GRS, compared to only 432 members in the year 2000.
In accordance with Article 10 of the Battery Decree, the GRS prepares a report by 31
March every year, which includes information on:
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� Batteries put into circulation, volume of batteries collected, sorting of spent
portable batteries, recycling and disposal results;
� Summary of the operating procedures;
� Total prices paid for sorting, recycling and disposal;
� Quality assurance and environmental protection; and
� Public relations.
Besides the GRS, other producers (e.g. producers of special batteries) have set up
separate take-back systems, like the Bosch Recycling Centre for Accumulators in
Electronic Tools (drilling machines etc) or the Organisation for Recycling of Secondary
Materials (Vereinigung für Wertstoffrecycling - VFW), which is empowered by many
producers to collect and recycle their batteries.
26.4 Evaluation Studies Available
The following evaluation studies have been undertaken:
� GRS, Annual Review/Documentation 2007, Performance Review in
accordance with the German Battery Decree, March 2008.
� Sachverständigen Rat für Umweltfragen (SRU) Umweltgutachten 2004, Mai
2004, p. 564, see: http://www.umweltrat.de
� BOSCH (2003): Recyclingzentrum Elektrowerkzeuge: Erfolgskontrolle 2002
gemäß § 10 Batterieverordnung. Robert Bosch GmbH.
� German Government (2003): 2. Programm der Bundesregierung zur
Verminderung der Umweltbelastungen aus Batterien und Altbatterien
entsprechend Artikel 6 der Richtlinie 91/157/EWG über gefährliche Stoffe
enthaltende Batterien und Akkumulatoren, see:
http://www.bmu.de/files/zweite_programm.pdf [as from 06.04.2003].
International Review of Waste Policy: Annexes