A receptacle for medical instruments comprises a container for holding the medical instruments and comprises an apparatus for capturing and transmitting data from the medical instruments, which apparatus comprises a control unit, a reader and at least one first identification element attached to at least one medical instrument, wherein the control unit is connected to the reader and exchanges data with the reader, and performs a further step with said data, wherein the reader exchanges data with the at least one first identification element and passes said data to the control unit. The apparatus comprises a sensor unit which detects the medical instrument by a measurement performed thereon of a measurement quantity, and exchanges signals with the control unit, wherein the exchanged signals initiate the exchange of data between the reader and the at least one first identification element, wherein the reader transfers the exchanged data to the control unit.
