A dosing device for positioning inside a dishwasher, in particular by a user, comprising • at least one interface (S d, E d) on the dosing device having at least one optical receiver (E d) and transmitter (S d), which interface is suitable for interacting with at least one corresponding optical receiver (E h) and/or transmitter (S h) formed in or on a dishwasher such that optical signals, which represent in particular information regarding the operating state, measurement information and/or control information relating to the dosing device and/or the dishwasher, are transmitted between the dishwasher and the dosing device, and • a base characterized in that • the transmitter (S d) on the dosing device and the optical receiver (E d) on the dosing device are arranged on the base of the dosing device when said device is in the operating position, • when the dosing device is in the operating position, the transmitter (S d) on the dosing device is suitable for emitting optical signals through the base towards the base of the dishwasher, at least one optical transmitter (S d) being formed as an LED and/or IRED, the LED and/or IRED being arranged such that the angle of light emission α, formed by the central radiation axis R and the vertical line of the axis of the base of the dosing device, is greater than 0°, and • the optical transmitter (S d) on the dosing device and the optical receiver (Ed) on the dosing device are configured so as to detect light emitted by the optical transmitter (S d) on the dosing device by the optical transmitter (S d) on the dosing device emitting a light beam into the surroundings of the dosing device, and the corresponding reflected light beam being received by the receiver (E d) on the dosing device. • at least one interface (S d, E d) on the dosing device having at least one optical receiver (E d) and transmitter (S d), which interface is suitable for interacting with at least one corresponding optical receiver (E h) and/or transmitter (S h) formed in or on a dishwasher such that optical signals, which represent in particular information regarding the operating state, measurement information and/or control information relating to the dosing device and/or the dishwasher, are transmitted between the dishwasher and the dosing device, and • a base • the transmitter (S d) on the dosing device and the optical receiver (E d) on the dosing device are arranged on the base of the dosing device when said device is in the operating position, • when the dosing device is in the operating position, the transmitter (S d) on the dosing device is suitable for emitting optical signals through the base towards the base of the dishwasher, at least one optical transmitter (S d) being formed as an LED and/or IRED, the LED and/or IRED being arranged such that the angle of light emission α, formed by the central radiation axis R and the vertical line of the axis of the base of the dosing device, is greater than 0°, and • the optical transmitter (S d) on the dosing device and the optical receiver (Ed) on the dosing device are configured so as to detect light emitted by the optical transmitter (S d) on the dosing device by the optical transmitter (S d) on the dosing device emitting a light beam into the surroundings of the dosing device, and the corresponding reflected light beam being received by the receiver (E d) on the dosing device.