Germany’s Bundesrat Pushes for Disposable Vape Ban
Germany’s Bundesrat (Federal Council), representing the country’s federal states, is once again urging for a national ban on single-use disposable e-cigarettes. In a formal statement, the council argues that these products pose a significant threat to the environment and the recycling industry. When improperly discarded in household waste, valuable raw materials like lithium are lost, and the risk of fires caused by these batteries places a heavy financial burden, amounting to billions in costs, on recycling and disposal facilities.
The Bundesrat criticized the federal government’s proposed amendments to the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act as insufficient to increase collection rates or reduce fire risks from improperly disposed batteries. Consequently, it deems a ban on placing disposable e-cigarettes on the market necessary, pointing to similar legislation already introduced in EU member states like France and Belgium.
The federal government, in its counter-statement, rejected the proposed ban. While acknowledging that disposable e-cigarettes are viewed “critically from a resource and health protection perspective,” it argued that implementing such a ban within the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act would trigger a “technical notification” process with the EU, which would “considerably delay” the entire legislative process. The government considers the amendment urgent due to the increase in fires and believes product-related regulations are more appropriately handled at the EU single market level.
However, the government did announce it would examine how to transfer more financial and organizational responsibility for the collection and recycling of e-waste to manufacturers in the future. The Bundesrat’s position is supported by several experts, including representatives from municipal disposal companies and environmental associations, who also advocated for a ban and extended producer responsibility during a recent public hearing.
- Read more: Germany Vape & E-liquid TPD Registration Guide (2025)
- Press source: Bundesrat für Verbot von Einweg-E-Zigaretten
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