Germany – New Draft of The Packaging Law Implementation Act (VerpackDG)

A new Legislative Act has been drafted in Germany, VerpackDG, which will replace VerpackG. A consultation on this new Draft Packaging Law closed on 5th December 2025, with adoption planned for Quarter 1 2026. Some of the key points from the Act are provided below.

• There are new higher recycling rates for plastic, aluminium, and ferrous packaging. For plastic, the target is 75% by 1st January 2028 and 80% by 1st January 2030.
• Some chemical recycling is now permitted to meet the recycling targets for plastic (previously this was not the case). In 2028 70% of the 75% target must be met by mechanical recycling, however, the remainder can be met by other recycling technologies, including chemical recycling.
• Licensing through the Central Agency Packaging Register (Zentrale Stelle) is now required for both household and commercial and industrial packaging PROs. Previously this applied to only household PROs (dual-systems). Producers that choose not to join a PRO must now also be licensed by the Zentrale Stelle.
• EPR systems for household and commercial and industrial packaging will have to pay a fee to fund the Central Agency Packaging Register. The amount is still under discussion.
• Linked to packaging minimisation requirements in the PPWR, there will be a €5 per tonne charge for packaging handled by EPR schemes (or producers complying individually) to fund measures to promote reuse and refill.

Access the press release here: BMUKN: New Packaging Act to improve waste prevention and recycling | Press release

Thank you to the EPRO team for keeping us up to date and sharing the news with us.