Amendments to the German Packaging Act

2021 is set to be a significant year for packaging compliance across Europe with the implementation of both the Single-Use Plastics Directive and the EU Plastics Levy as well as several amendments to Packaging Waste Regulations across multiple member states.

With less than a month to go until the first amendments to Germany’s Verpack G enter in force, Emma Trevor, Valpak’s International Account Manager, takes a look at what changes producers can expect.

Changes to German packaging legislation

3 July 2021 marks an important date for packaging producers that place products onto the German market. Not only is this the day that the Single-Use Plastics Directive comes into force, but amendments to Verpack G are expected, with transition periods up until 1 January 2029.

Changes to the packaging legislation expected 3 July 2021 are as follows:

• Producers based outside of Germany but placing goods onto the German market are now able to voluntarily appoint an authorised representative. It is hoped that this amendment will make compliance easier for companies with no physical presence in the country as their authorised representative will be able to submit data reports on their behalf. They will not, however, be able to complete their registration – this obligation remains with the producer
• Final distributors of service packaging will be obligated to register with the Central Registry
• Producers of transport and reusable packaging must keep records on their compliance with takeback and recycling requirements for their products and final distributors of this packaging must also make consumers aware of the take back options

Extension of Deposit Return Scheme

There are further changes planned for 1 January 2022 including the extension of the Deposit Return Scheme to include all single-use beverage bottles and cans with the exception of bottles filled with dairy products – obligations for these products are expected in January 2024.

Reusable alternatives to single-use plastic packaging

From the beginning of 2022, final distributors of single-use plastic food and beverage packaging will be obligated to offer reusable alternatives for the same price and small companies will be obligated to allow end consumers to use their own reusable containers as an alternative to single-use packaging.

Further changes

There are also further changes to be implemented 1 July 2022.

Firstly, producers of all packaging types must register with the Central Registry, and secondly, the requirement for online marketplaces to verify producers’ compliance will be implemented. This means it will become compulsory for online marketplaces and fulfilment service providers to ensure that companies selling packaged products through their platform are registered with the central registry and compliant.

Finally, from 1 January 2025, PET bottles containing less than 25% recycled content will be banned from the German market. This ban will expand to all single-use plastic beverage bottles containing less than 30% recycled content in 2030.

Valpak International Compliance Service

If your business is affected by environmental legislation overseas, we will remove the administrative and resource intensive burden of complying and have a range of services that can be tailored to suit your business’s needs.

To find out more about international environmental legislation and how we can help please call us on 03450 682 572 or complete our online enquiry form.