Product end-of-life
Alfen’s approach to end-of-life responsibility
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a regulatory framework that makes producers responsible for financing or organising the collection, recycling and proper treatment of products once they reach end of life. Alfen registers with approved national schemes where required and guides customers to compliant end-of-life channels. EPR obligations differ by:
- Product category
- Whether the product is used by households or businesses
- National implementation in each country
End‑of‑life for EV charging products
EV charging products are covered by WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) requirements in many countries. This means that producers must support the responsible treatment of charging equipment at end of life.
What Alfen does today?
For Alfen’s EV charging portfolio, Alfen:
- Registers in national WEEE schemes where required
- Finances compliant collection and treatment
- Ensures products can be processed through approved channels
- Provides guidance on where and how products can be returned via collective compliance schemes or Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO)
How to return EV charging products?
Below is an overview of the Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) with which Alfen is registered for EV charging products. These organisations ensure compliant end‑of‑life treatment in line with national WEEE regulations. More information is also available regarding collection points for different product types.
Netherlands
Compliance scheme: Sichting Open
Belgium
Compliance scheme: Recupel
France
Compliance scheme: Ecosystem
Denmark
Compliance scheme: ERP Denmark
Finland
Compliance scheme: Elker
Italy
Compliance scheme: Erion WEEE
Spain
Compliance scheme: Ecolec
End‑of‑life for battery systems
Battery systems are covered by a dedicated regulatory framework. New requirements under the EU Battery Regulation are currently being implemented across Europe, and national EPR systems are still being established. Alfen is preparing for these requirements by:
- Monitoring national implementation
- Working with qualified partners for safe handling and recycling
- Integrating circularity considerations into future battery products
As national battery EPR schemes become operational, this page will be updated with country‑specific compliance information.
End‑of‑life for Smart Grid Solutions
Transformer stations, part of Alfen’s Smart Grid Solutions portfolio, are designed for a long-term operation. Instead of replacing entire stations at the end of their initial service life, Alfen takes a circular approach by keeping stations in operation where possible and supporting careful and responsible end‑of‑life handling. In parallel, Alfen contributes to initiatives that improve insight into the materials used in stations, helping customers and partners make better decisions on reuse, selective replacement and responsible processing when components reach end of life. In practice, this includes:
- Extending operational service life by replacing low‑voltage (LV) switchgear
- Designing for durability and maintainability
- Contributing to material passport initiatives to improve material insight and circularity at end of life