News

As PPWR compliance costs increase, many online retailers are reconsidering cross-border sales. However, limiting deliveries to certain countries does not automatically constitute discrimination against customers in other EU countries.

The PPWR requires businesses that sell packaged products across the EU to appoint an authorised representative in each destination country. While many businesses see this as an additional administrative burden, others understand it as an important safeguard for fair competition.

Germany’s e-waste collection rate remains well below the legal target. As a result, there have been calls for stronger producer responsibility under the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG). But merely shifting obligations is unlikely to solve the real problem: too many end-of-life devices remain with end-users.

The question of who qualifies as the "manufacturer" of transport packaging under the PPWR remains unresolved. While the European Commission has maintained its current interpretation, retailers and distributors are still waiting for legal clarity.

The PPWR is creating growing challenges for businesses across Europe. Companies, industry associations, and chambers of commerce are increasingly calling for simpler rules, less bureaucracy, and greater flexibility for small businesses.

For many businesses, the biggest challenge is no longer observing legal bounds but keeping up with constant policy changes. When rules, deadlines, or funding programmes change repeatedly, companies generally struggle to plan investments, allocate resources, and advise customers with confidence.

Under the PPWR, even printed paper bags can turn into a compliance issue. Many small and medium-sized businesses are now feeling the pressure of keeping up with the increased costs, bureaucracy, and administrative effort.

European industry is facing growing pressure from rising costs, complex regulations, and increasing global competition. The German Machinery and Equipment Manufacturers Association is therefore calling on the EU to place competitiveness at the centre of future policymaking.

Europe wants to recover more critical raw materials from electronic waste and reduce its dependence on imports. A new EU-funded project aims to transform end-of-life electronics into valuable resources for the European industry.