Distinction between large and small equipment for the categories 4 to 6

Measuring procedure

When the producer measures the electrical and electronic equipment it is usually sufficient to determine whether the equipment is a small equipment or respectively small ITC equipment or a large equipment (packaging measures are insufficient); otherwise the following applies:

Always measure the outer measurements of the electrical or electronic equipment in a ready-to-use state. Accessories (e.g. tubes, pipes, cables) can be omitted. Also electrical cords (attached or detachable) are not considered. If the electrical or electronic equipment has extendable or foldable parts (e.g. antennae or articulated arms), these may be considered in their most compact form, to minimise the effect they would have on the measurement. With rectangular equipment this is the largest height, width or depth of the equipment. For round equipment the largest diameter is relevant. Flexible equipment (e.g. clothing with electrical functions, fairy lights, etc.) are always measured in a packed/compacted state.

  • If the largest external measurement is more than 50 cm, it is large equipment.
  • If the largest external measurement is smaller than or equals 50 cm it is small equipment or a small piece of ITC equipment.

Example: Kitchen radio with long retractable antenna, kettle with long cord.
If none of the external measurements exceed 50 centimetres this counts as small equipment (category 5), even if the extended antenna or cord are 100 cm long.

Examples to determine the external measurements: