Private or professional use

When assigning equipment to one of the ten categories no distinction is made between private and professional use. The criterion here is whether the primary function of the specific piece of equipment corresponds to the groups of equipment under each category. This means that category 1, Large household appliances, also contains equipment for industrial kitchens, or in other words equipment whose final use is professional.

Once equipment has been placed in a category it must be clarified whether this piece of equipment finds its final use within businesses or in private households. 

It is important to clarify whether the final user is professional or private. This distinction is related to logistics in waste management and thereby take-back duties under the producer responsibility scheme.

Private use

Equipment defined for ’private use’ normally ends its life in the waste stream collected by the local authority, for instance through recycling centres. The local authority separates WEEE into five waste fractions. Subsequently, producers and importers must collect this WEEE from the local authority and ensure further management.

Professional use

For equipment defined for ’professional use’, by contrast, local authorities have no role to play. Here, producers and importers are basically responsible for collection of WEEE from the professional user and for subsequent management.

 

Equipment defined for 'private use'	Equipment defined for 'professional use'
Electrical and electronic equipment specificly made for use in private households. Equipment of the same type as above mentioned which are used by public institutions and private companies.	Electrical and electronic equipment specificly made for use in public institutions and private companies.  Electrical and electronic equipment which is not equipment for private households.