Product returns and disposal of old appliances

Electrical appliances and batteries contain valuable raw materials that can be recycled with a view to protecting the environment and conserving natural resources, but sometimes also hazardous substances that can cause serious damage to health and the environment. Old electrical appliances and used batteries must therefore always be handled properly and in accordance with regulations and disposed of correctly.

The following information relates to the legal situation in the Federal Republic of Germany. Owners or end users abroad who are subject to different regulations are obliged to comply with the applicable regulations and their correct implementation on site. Information on this can be obtained from the responsible authorities or the distributor, for example.

The adjacent symbol of the crossed-out wheeled garbage can refers to the legal obligation of the owner or end user not to dispose of old appliances and used batteries with unsorted municipal waste ("household waste"). The old batteries must be removed from the old appliance (where possible) in a non-destructive and discharged state. The device and the measuring connections must be disconnected from the mains before removing the batteries; in this context, please also observe the instructions and recommendations in the product documentation and the warnings printed on the devices. The old appliance and the old batteries (in discharged condition or with appropriate precautionary measures against short circuits, e.g. by insulating the terminals with adhesive tape) must then be correctly separated and handed over for proper disposal by authorized disposal service providers or the responsible public waste disposal authorities.

Please note that the owner or end user is responsible for deleting personal data and any other sensitive data on the old devices to be disposed of before handing them in.

On behalf of Gossen Metrawatt GmbH, GMC-I Service GmbH assumes the obligation to take back old electrical appliances and used batteries free of charge. This includes devices of the GOSSEN METRAWATT brand as well as other brands of the GMC-Instruments Group that were used in Germany. This means that you can send in your old device used in Germany and the associated used batteries at any time with a note on disposal or hand them in personally during our regular business hours (Mon-Thu from 08:00-16:30, Fri from 08:00-13:00). Of course, we will not charge you for the collection of your old appliance and the associated used batteries or for the subsequent recycling by the disposal service provider commissioned for this purpose. The free take-back also extends to old appliances of our brands or old appliances that we have sold, if these were not yet covered by the scope of free return when they were placed on the market in accordance with the "Act on the Placing on the Market, Return and Environmentally Sound Disposal of Electrical and Electronic Equipment" (ElekroG), but are now to be disposed of in this way.

Gossen Metrawatt GmbH has commissioned a specialist disposal company with a certified primary treatment facility to dispose of the old devices. For the disposal of used batteries, GMC-I Service GmbH is connected to the take-back system of the Stiftung Gemeinsames Rücknahmesystem Batterien (GRS).

Old appliances and old batteries from private households can also be returned free of charge to the distributor (retailer) or to the responsible municipal collection point.

When shipping old appliances or used batteries, you are obliged to comply with the applicable regulations, in particular with regard to safe packaging and hazardous goods legislation.

Attention: Depending on their nominal energy, batteries containing lithium are considered dangerous goods and are therefore subject to the applicable dangerous goods regulations. In this context, please also refer to the documentation enclosed with the corresponding products. For safe disposal in accordance with regulations, the terminals must be taped with insulating adhesive tape. In this way, you reduce the risk of short circuits, which can pose a considerable fire hazard.

Disposal of old appliances and used batteries abroad is carried out locally. Please only send us old appliances or old batteries for disposal from abroad in exceptional cases if you are permitted to do so in accordance with the applicable legal requirements, if you have the necessary official permits for this and if we have expressly agreed to this procedure in writing.

Detailed process description & procedure here in our FAQ!