WEEE, battery and packaging directive

WEEE – Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment

1. Background

The European Directive 2012/19/EU on waste of electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) aims to prevent or reduce the adverse impacts of WEEE on environment and human health. At their end of life, electronic products become electronic waste and, when misplaced or disposed improperly, can present a risk.
Brainlab considers the principles of sustainable production and contributes to prevent generation of unnecessary WEEE. Our products are designed taking into account the possibility to repair, upgrade, re-use, disassemble and recycle, while making medical technology and knowledge more impactful and accessible to physicians and their patients.

2. Recycling

In the case your Brainlab product requires disposal, please find below the recycling instructions for the safe disposal within your country. Note that electronic waste must be treated in certified facilities where technical requirements set out in 2012/19/EU, Annex VIII are fulfilled and where prior to disposal re- use options are checked. As the possessor of the electric or electronic device you are responsible for its proper collection, treatment and disposal at the end of life. Consult your local waste management agency to obtain information on the nearest suitable facility or check the recycling instructions presented below.

Based on Directive 2012/19/EU §13 (2) Brainlab applies alternative financing methods for WEEE recycling, meaning that the costs incurred for proper collection, treatment and disposal at the end of life rely on the customer, unless applicable law prevent the parties from validly agreeing that such obligation shall be on the customer.

In accordance with directive 2012/19/EU in Articles 14 and 15, electrical and electronic equipment must be marked with a crossed-out wheelie bin symbol. This symbol indicates that the marked device must not be disposed of with normal household waste, but rather must be collected separately. If possible, please remove old batteries, accumulators and lamps from the WEEE prior to disposal.

Please note that the deletion of personal data on devices that are to be disposed of is the sole responsibility of the end user. For customers outside Europe, please dispose WEEE according to local regulations.

Contact or in case of further questions.


Battery Regulation

1. Background

Batteries may contain substances that are harmful to the environment and human health. Particular caution is required when handling batteries containing lithium due to the special risks involved. The separate collection and recycling of old batteries and accumulators is intended to avoid negative effects on the environment and human health.

According to Battery Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2023/1542), please remove batteries from any electronic item to be disposed of and dispose them separately.

2. Recycling

The symbol of the crossed-out wheelie bin on batteries or accumulators indicates that they must not be disposed of with household waste at the end of their service life. If batteries or accumulators contain mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd) above the threshold, you will find the respective chemical symbol below the symbol of the crossed-out wheelie bin. You are legally obliged to return old batteries and accumulators after use in order to contribute to their proper recycling. Consult your local waste management agency to obtain information on the nearest suitable facility for return.

Further information on the use, removal and replacement of portable batteries can be found in the user guides.


Packaging Directive

Packaging used with Brainlab products complies with European Packaging Directive (Directive 94/62/EC). Transport packaging (as opposed to product packaging) is taken back by the freight forwarders operating in Brainlab’s name upon delivery, whereby exceptions apply.


Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 on the Regulation concerning
the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH):

Please access REACH – Brainlab for information on substances of very high concern (SVHCs) contained in your product.

If you cannot find recycling instructions for your country, contact or

Recycling Instructions

WEEE Recycling for Danish Customers
WEEE Recycling for Dutch Customers
WEEE Recycling for Finnish Customers
WEEE Recycling for French Customers
WEEE Recycling for French Customers in french
WEEE Recycling for Irish Customers
WEEE Recycling for Italian Customers
WEEE Recycling for Lithuanian Customers
WEEE Recycling for Polish Customers
WEEE Recycling for Portuguese Customers
WEEE Recycling for Swedish Customers
WEEE Recycling for UK Customers