What packaging and recycling marks do chargers need in France and Germany?

Main answer · Wecent Editorial Team

Short answer: In both countries, chargers as electrical equipment need the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol and producer registration for WEEE. France also requires the Triman logo with sorting instructions (Info-tri) for products and packaging covered by extended producer responsibility, and producers must be registered with the relevant schemes and display a unique identifier. Germany requires registration with stiftung ear under ElektroG (with the WEEE registration number shown in offers and invoices) and packaging registration in the LUCID register under VerpackG, plus participation in a dual system for consumer packaging.

Common to both: WEEE

Under the WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU, electrical equipment must carry the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol, and producers must register in each country where they place products on the market. Sellers established outside the country often need an authorised representative there.

France

• Triman and Info-tri: products and packaging subject to extended producer responsibility generally need the Triman logo with sorting information explaining how to dispose of them. Rules on format and placement are set in French regulations; digital alternatives are allowed in some cases.
• Producer registration: producers register with the national authority (ADEME’s system) for each EPR stream, such as electrical equipment and household packaging, and receive a unique identification number (IDU), which must be shown in certain documents and to marketplaces.
• Eco-organisations: producers typically join an approved scheme for electrical equipment and for packaging.

Germany

• ElektroG: producers register with stiftung ear before selling electrical equipment. The WEEE registration number must be shown on offers and invoices. Non-German producers need an authorised representative.
• VerpackG: companies placing packaged goods on the German market must register in the LUCID packaging register and, for consumer packaging, participate in a dual system.
• Marketplaces: must verify registration numbers before allowing sales.

Batteries

For power banks, battery registration rules also apply in both countries under the EU Battery Regulation and national rules.

Practical steps

1. Decide whether you or a partner is the producer in each country.
2. Register for WEEE and packaging before the first sale.
3. Update packaging artwork with the bin symbol, Triman and Info-tri for France.
4. Keep registration numbers ready for marketplaces.
5. Report quantities as required.

Check current rules

Both countries update these rules. Use official sources (ADEME, stiftung ear, Zentrale Stelle Verpackungsregister) or a compliance scheme to confirm current obligations. This summary isn’t legal advice.

Where this answer says confirm with Wecent, the detail is not published on the product page and has to come from the datasheet or the factory. General facts come from the standards bodies, regulators or device makers named in the text.