Environmental protection and sustainability

Environmental and resource management at all company levels is of paramount importance to the Klauke Group. We believe that improving to become more and more innovative is an opportunity. And we take on this responsibility – for the benefit of our customers, our employees and our children.


Environmental management system certified to ISO 14001:2015

Since 2003, we have participated in the "Ökoprofit" [Ecoprofit] project of the 3-city region in North Rhine Westphalia, the aim of which is to preserve energy and resources while making cost savings. Today, we are certified according to DIN EN ISO 14001:2015(pdf). This internationally valid guideline defines globally recognised standards for environmental management systems. It focuses primarily on a continuous improvement process.

For us, this creates clearly defined aims: avoiding wastage and faults, increasing efficiency and consuming as little energy as possible in every production step, as we want to preserve raw materials, fossil fuels and the environment for future generations.

Principles of environmental protection and occupational health and safety

Klauke an environmentally-conscious and responsible company. That's why we live and act according to the principles that reflect this. We also expect our service providers and suppliers to observe all the relevant health and safety and environmental regulations. In doing so, we are guided by Klauke  principles.

Conflict Mineral Questionnaire for Suppliers

Furthermore, we insist on our suppliers proving that the raw materials they deliver/process do not come from regions where they are mined by child labour under generally unacceptable conditions, and where the profits might be used to finance armed conflicts. You can provide us with this proof by filling out the Conflict Mineral Questionnaire and returning it to us.

Using resources in the right way

Resource management is also important, of course: During the procurement of material and components, we place great importance on top quality materials and components. To guarantee this, we work only with certified suppliers. This, coupled with our strict quality management principles, ensures our procurement, production and service standards are sustainably maintained.

We also invest regularly in new systems and optimise processes to save energy and relieve the burden on the environment. Saving measures already implemented include:

  • 2007 / 2008: Optimisation of heating times and heating flow temperatures
  • 2008: Use of compressor waste heat to support the heating process
  • 2008 / 2009: Installation of energy-saving lamps in the production area
  • 2010: Shorter maintenance intervals for the ceiling fans
  • from 2011: Switching to LED lighting outdoors and in corridors
  • 2012: New compressor system with heat exchangers at every compressor to support the heating process
  • 2013/2014 Installation of a new heating system with four solar collectors for hot water and central heating backup
  • 2015: Klauke buys its first electric car with multiple-vehicle charging station
  • 2017: Replacement of 140 light-bulbs in our plant in Bernsdorf with LED
  • 2018: Installation of a new compressor in Bernsdorf to save energy and Co².

Through these measures, we have reduced energy consumption by 30 % since 2009.



Product-based environmental protection

Avoiding harmful substances

Ecologically harmless products are essential to our understanding of sustainable economic activity. Starting with the supplier chain, we ensure that all components and materials respect the applicable environmental limit values and that we observe the directives.

REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006

In accordance with the meaning of the REACH Regulation No 1907/2006 (Registration, Itvaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals) the Klauke Group is a ‘downstream user’ without any registration obligations.
In accordance with Article 33 of EC Regulation No 1907/2006, suppliers of products (articles) must provide various information about substances along the supply chain. Substances of very high concern are published in a ‘candidate list’ in accordance with Article 59(1).
As our suppliers, we would like to request that you examine the products supplied to the Klauke Group for the presence of the substances listed in the candidate list to see if these substances could account for more than 0.1 % mass percent of the products.

Further information on the candidate list can be found here: echa.europa.eu/candidate-list-table

Safety datasheets

In future, safety datasheets will be created not only be for ‘hazardous’ substances and preparations, but also for persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) substances and very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) substances, as well as for preparations containing these substances in concentrations > 0.1 % mass percent. We kindly request that you, as a supplier, voluntarily send us the latest safety datasheets as per Article 31 in conjunction with Annex II of the REACH Regulation.

Banned Substance List

The legal and customer specifications for the environmental compatibility of products are continuously increasing. This requires close cooperation with you as our suppliers. The ‘banned substance list’ details the substances which may not be used by law. It provides a simplified overview of the bans and restrictions on the circulation of hazardous substances in the European Union and in other countries. It contains an incomplete selection of substances, although these are relevant for the Klauke Group. For some substances, the legal bans are limited to certain uses or specific exceptions are allowed. Compliance with this banned substance list is an essential element of the conditions of sale, so please download the Banned Substance List (pdf).

RoHS - EU Directive 2011/65/EU & 2015/863/EU (RoHS II)

Since 01/07/2006, the so-called RoHS (Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment) of [Directive 2011/65/EU, 3 January 2013] prohibits manufacturers from using certain substances in newly marketed electrical and electronic equipment that contain more than 0.1% by weight of hazardous substances. 

• hexavalent chromium/Hexavalent chromium (Cr6+)
• Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalates (DEHP)
• Lead/Lead (Pb)
• Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP)
• Cadmium (Cd) [more than 0.01 percent by weight]
• Dibutyl phthalates (DBP)
• Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP)
• Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB)
• polybromized biphenyl/Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE)
• Mercury/Mercury(Hg)

per homogeneous material contained in their products. Exceptions for certain uses are listed in the annex to the Directive. RoHS II conformity is confirmed in the CE Declaration of Conformity and is documented externally by the CE mark on the tool.

End-of-Life Vehicle Directive (KLS))

Since 2007, 85% of all automotive parts have had to be recyclable. This is stipulated by the EU Directive for the automotive industry and its suppliers. Furthermore, the use of numerous  substances that are harmful to both health and the environment, including lead, cadmium, hexavalent chromium and mercury, is prohibited. Klauke supports this Directive and uses none of the stated substances for products – and of course not only in the automotive industry, but in all business sectors!

Encouraging recycling

By the time a tool finally reaches the end of its useful life, the course for reuse has long been set. Even during the tool development phase, we plan and design our products and their components for a high reuse and recycling quota.

WEEE - EU Directive 2012/19/EU

Directive 2012/19/EU aims at avoiding waste from electrical and electronic equipment. Recycling, reuse or other recovery of this equipment is also encouraged. Recovery rates have been defined, which differ from product group to product group and had to be achieved by 31st December 2006. The manufacturer must guarantee the collection, processing and recovery of the equipment stated in annex IA of the WEEE brought to the market after 13th August 2005.

Product return

Klauke offers you, our customers and sales partners, the environmentally sound reuse/disposal of used electrical tools, thereby abiding by the German Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG). To guarantee this, we have a disposal partner who you can approach. Please use the form for the Collection of WEEE equipment for disposal (pdf).

Waste disposal partner: Vfw
Hotline Tel.: +49 2191-907-196
Hotline Fax: +49 2191-907-290
Contact email address: [email protected]
National implementation: ElektroG (German Electrical Equipment Act)
WEEE Reg. No.  DE 81929977



FAQ about RoHS and WEEE

1. What is the RoHS?

The RoHS (Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances) is an EU directive that is transposed into national law (e.g. the ElektroG in Germany). It aims to regulate the restriction on the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. In doing so, it makes a contribution to the protection of health and the environmentally sound recycling and disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment. In particular, the following substances may no longer be contained in electrical and electronic equipment since 01/07/2006:

• hexavalent chromium/Hexavalent chromium (Cr6+) [more than 0.01 percent by weight]
• Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalates (DEHP) [more than 0.01 percent by weight]
• Lead/Lead (Pb) [more than 0.01 percent by weight]
• Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) [more than 0.1 percent by weight]
• Cadmium (Cd) [more than 0.01 percent by weight]
• Dibutyl phthalates (DBP) [more than 0.1 percent by weight]
• Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) [more than 0.1 percent by weight]
• Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) [more than 0.1 percent by weight]
• polybromized biphenyl/Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) [more than 0.1 percent by weight]
• Mercury/Mercury(Hg) [more than 0.1 percent by weight]

What is WEEE?

WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) is an EU Directive that has passed into national legislation. The Directive seeks primarily to avoid waste electrical and electronic equipment. It also promotes the reuse, recycling and other forms of utilising such equipment in order to reduce the amount of waste for disposal. It also seeks to improve the environmental performance of all operators involved in the life cycle of electrical and electronic equipment, e.g. manufacturers, distributors, consumers and in particular those who handle used electrical and electronic equipment directly. The WEEE Directive describes the equipment categories and types affected by the restrictions of the RoHS in Appendix I.

Which equipment categories are governed by the RoHS and the WEEE?

  • Large domestic appliances (Cat. 1), small domestic appliances (Cat. 2)
  • IT and telecommunication equipment (Cat. 3)
  • Home electronic equipment (Cat. 4)
  • Light fittings (Cat. 5)
  • Electrical and electronic tools (with the exception of stationary, large-scale industrial tools/machines) (Cat. 6)
  • Toys, sport and leisure equipment (Cat. 7)
  • Medical equipment (with the exception of all implanted and infected products) * (Cat. 8)
  • Monitoring and control instruments (Cat. 9)
  • Automatic output devices (Cat. 10)

* RoHS does not apply to these equipment categories.

  • It also applies for electrical bulbs and lights in the home.
  • The Directive concerns only the equipment listed in the respective categories and the components included therein.

4. What Klauke and Greenlee products does the WEEE apply to?

To all products that fall into one of the following areas:

  • electro-hydraulic crimping, cutting and punching tools of the Klauke brand,
  • electrical testing equipment and
  • electro-mechanical tools

5. What Klauke and Greenlee products does the RoHS apply to?

To all products that fall into one of the following areas:

  • electro-hydraulic crimping, cutting and punching tools of the Klauke brand,
  • electrical testing equipment and
  • electro-mechanical tools other than category 9 devices.

6. Does the RoHS also apply to connection material?

No!

What is the Electrical Equipment Act?

The Electrical Equipment Act is the national implementation of the WEEE & RoHS Directive. The Electrical Equipment Act also concerns further specific regulations for Germany as a region. The ElektroG came into effect in March 2005.The collection of WEEE products started on 24th March 2006 in Germany.

8. Are RoHS compliant products marked?

All CE marked products are automatically RoHS compliant.

9. How are WEEE-affected products marked?

All WEEE-affected products of Klauke and Greenlee are marked with a crossed-out rubbish bin on wheels (WEEE Appendix IV or DIN EN 50419). This should be an outward sign that this product should be recycled and not be disposed of with general waste. The Klauke tools have a date code consisting of 2 letters on the hydraulic cylinders or on the Klauke minis underneath the battery. The relevant key can be found here: Date code(pdf). Greenlee uses the waste bin with the underscore b), which states that the device was put on the market after 13.08.2005.

10. I am a reseller of Klauke and/or Greenlee products. Do I have to register in my country?

By law, our area of responsibility is currently only in Germany and France. If you purchase the products directly from us, with the intention of reselling them and you are not based in Germany or France, you as an importer under the WEEE guideline, are required to register in your country (in the EU!). This also applies in France if you do not purchase your products from one of our French agents.

11. When will the Klauke and Greenlee products be RoHS compliant?

The Klauke and Greenlee products fall into 3 of the 10 categories set by the WEEE Directive. Category 3 IT and Telecommunication Equipment, Category 6 Electrical and Electronic Equipment, Category 9 Monitoring and Control Instruments. Category 3 and 6 products comply  with the Directive before July 2006. All Klauke Category 6 products comply with the RoHS Directive since the end of 2005. Category 9 products are currently still excluded.

12. What happens to my stock of non-RoHS compliant products after July 2006?

As long as the products were placed on the EU market before July 2006, you can still sell them.