“Under the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), packaging used for online sales or other means of distance selling is considered e-commerce packaging. E-commerce packaging is categorised as transport packaging. Online retailers need to clarify whether they will be considered manufacturers as from 12 August 2026 and thus (as has often been the…

The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) introduces new packaging requirements across Europe from 12 August 2026. In Germany, the current Packaging Act (VerpackG) will be replaced by the Packaging Law Implementation Act (VerpackDG), which will implement the PPWR at national level and set out the applicable sanctions and fines for…

Under the German Packaging Law Implementation Act (VerpackDG), registration and data reporting obligations cannot be delegated to third parties. However, Section 7 of the VerpackDG does not prohibit outsourcing the obligation to participate in a packaging scheme. As a result, this obligation may, in principle, be contractually assigned to a third party.

The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) does not provide for any thresholds for producer registration in the Member States. In Ireland, the existing thresholds – which have so far exempted many companies from the registration requirement – will be abolished on 12 August 2026. Ireland is thus bringing producer responsibility into line with the…

With the implementation of the EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR), the registration and reporting requirements in Denmark will change on 12 August 2026.

SMEs face more challenges than ever: new EU rules, rising compliance demands, global competition, cybersecurity, the circular economy and AI. The key question is: How can SMEs stay competitive without being overwhelmed by regulation?

Retailers: Check your take-back obligations now! Since 1 July 2026, new German take-back and labelling requirements apply to e-cigarettes and other electrical and electronic equipment. Environmental and consumer protection organisations have announced spot checks in Germany, including in online shops. Non-compliance may lead to legal action.

The EU’s battery rules could be hard to apply to some small or safety-sensitive products. The European Commission has therefore added six new product categories that can use built-in batteries. This is meant to allow products to stay safer, more durable and water-resistant while still letting trained specialists replace the battery when needed.

The PPWR raises a key question for private-label products: is the retailer or supplier responsible for packaging compliance? The ZSVR currently sees the retailer as the producer, bringing significant documentation, liability and EPR obligations. Industry associations are calling for a clear, uniform interpretation, while companies should clarify packaging…

From 1 July 2026, retailers and producers in Germany must take back end-of-life e-cigarettes free of charge, increasing responsibility for lithium batteries. With battery fires and poor recycling on the rise, calls for deposit schemes, stronger producer responsibility and even bans on disposable e-cigarettes are growing. The key question is now: will…

JD.com’s planned takeover of a major European electronics retailer has passed German review with strict conditions. However, the European Commission is still checking whether Chinese subsidies could give JD.com an unfair advantage. The deal could change retail, supply chains and online shopping across Europe.

Temu, Shein and AliExpress now account for a record 5.3% of German online sales, growing much faster than the overall market. Low prices continue to attract shoppers, putting pressure on German retailers. To compete, local businesses will need to focus on quality, strong brands, service and trust.

Germany is preparing new textile rules that could make producers pay more for collection and recycling. With poor textile quality making recycling harder, companies will need to focus on durable, repairable and recyclable products. Early preparation could help businesses manage future costs and requirements.

With the gradual introduction of the Digital Product Passport (DPP) as a requirement, businesses that do not comply may face serious repercussions. Among the risks involved are sales bans, fines, product recalls, and considerable damage to one’s reputation. Thus, companies should stop postponing the development of their DPP strategy.

The countdown is on: starting in 2027, the Digital Battery Passport will be compulsory, posing a significant compliance challenge for numerous companies. Data that is incomplete or incorrect could put market access at risk, disturb supply chains, and weaken competitiveness. It is essential for producers and retailers to take action now, since market success…

In 2026, the right to repair will materialise, leading to a fundamental transformation of the duties of producers and retailers. New repairability requirements, longer warranty periods, stricter regulations on the availability of replacement parts, and the implementation of the Digital Product Passport will increase the pressure on product development,…

The ZSVR’s (German Central Agency Packaging Register) current interpretation of the term 'manufacturer' has sparked widespread criticism, particularly among small retailers. In the lead-up to 12 August 2026, possible revisions to the definition are being discussed with various stakeholders, including several retail associations. However, VERE issues a clear…

The introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for textiles is picking up the pace. The German Federal Ministry for the Environment is currently preparing a draft bill for the new Textiles Act, which is expected to be presented this summer. Although, according to the ministry, no final draft has yet been completed and many details remain…

A recent study highlights why the German Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG) requires fundamental reform. Despite rising volumes of electrical and electronic equipment being placed on the market, collection and recycling rates remain well below EU targets. The study outlines concrete solutions that could not only protect the environment and…

The success of packaging recycling depends less on the level of producer fees than on how intelligently they are structured. A new Circpack study shows which factors actually improve recycling rates in EU Member States and why transparency, data quality and targeted investments are crucial to achieving the PPWR targets.

With the new packaging law implementation act, the German Bundestag is providing important impulses for increased recycling and the use of recycled materials. Industry associations regard eco-modulation in particular as a major step forward but criticise unresolved issues regarding the implementation of the European Packaging Regulation and call for further…

Europe is sending a strong signal in the effort to reduce its dependence on critical raw materials. With the approval of the first industrial recycling plant for recovering rare-earth elements from end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment, a landmark project for the European circular economy is taking shape in Italy. For producers and retailers, the…