This directive must be implemented in national laws in all EU member countries as of August 13, 2005.
As of coming into effect of the respective national laws, all manufacturers and importers of electronic equipment are obliged to accept returns of their products, and to take steps regarding the handling, usage or recycling. All manufacturers, importers and other suppliers (putting on the market for the first time) of electrical and electronic equipment – including certain lamps and lighting fixtures – are obliged to register themselves at national level.

The member states draw up a list of manufacturers and record data on a yearly basis regarding the quantities and categories of electrical and electronic equipment that has been introduced, collected, reused, recycled and used, along with data on the exported collected used equipment, indicating weight or, if this is not possible, the number of appliances or devices. A status report must also be written by the member states every three years. Inspection of the correct implementation of these procedures in the member states is carried out at national level.

OSRAM has taken early steps to prepare itself in advance for this obligation, setting up the OSRAM lamp reuse and recycling system together with other companies. OSRAM in this way implements correctly recycling of WEEE-lamps. WEEE-lamps are collected through municipalities and, for commercial customers, through national partners.

Every producer who introduces products into the EU market must register in the national Registers. The companies are assigned a registration number that they must indicate in all written correspondence.

OSRAM has the registration number DE 71568000.