Correctly classifying your products as B2C or B2B is essential for registering under Germany’s Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG). Mistakes can lead to product bans, regulatory action and costly penalties.

The EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) introduces stricter cybersecurity, reporting and documentation duties for producers of digital products. Non-compliance comes with hefty consequences, so businesses should prepare now and update their processes soon to meet the new rules.

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.

Germany currently has no state reserves of critical raw materials and therefore no strategic buffer against potential shortages. Whilst Berlin is working on an EU solution, the question of establishing its own reserves remains unresolved for the time being.

The PPWR is set to increase demand for recycled plastics across Europe. Now, leading recycling associations are calling for these mandatory recycled-content quotas to be met primarily with materials recycled in Europe.

Europe's electronic waste contains valuable raw materials worth billions of euros. Yet much of this potential remains untapped because too few devices are collected, repaired, or recycled.

Amazon is significantly reducing the use of plastic in its shipping packaging while increasing its use of paper-based solutions. The move highlights a growing trend in e-commerce: packaging optimisation is becoming an important factor for cost control, sustainability, and compliance.

More than 45 organisations are calling on the EU to extend exemptions for certain mercury-containing UV lamps. Their concern is that suitable alternatives are not yet available, especially for animal welfare and conservation purposes.

The PPWR now applies all across the EU. Companies selling packaging or packaged products must follow specific rules for registration, labelling, conformity and documentation; missing or incorrect data can lead to fines, warning letters, sales bans and other costly delays.

The PPWR came into force on 12 August 2026, but there are exceptions for packaging already on the market. Left-over packaging that was supplied before this date can usually still be sold. The new PPWR rules only apply to packaging placed on the EU market after that.

EmpCo sets stricter rules for environmental advertising. General declarations such as “sustainable” or “environmentally friendly” now need very clear evidence. Thus, companies should review their claims carefully to avoid legal action, fines or sales bans.

The European Commission has recently published several updates on the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). These include new guidelines, updated FAQs and changes to the products covered by the Regulation. The goal is to make the rules easier to understand and help companies prepare.