The latest news on German packaging law: environmentally friendly logos do not need to be printed on outer packaging!

Since the release of the latest revised version of the German Packaging Act, it has received widespread attention from cross-border sellers. Recently, German cross-border sellers have discussed in the e-commerce community whether it is necessary to print environmental protection logos on the outer packaging after registering the Packaging Act.

The editor learned that relevant German staff replied via email that according to the 5th revision of the German Packaging Law, the requirement to print environmental protection labels on the outer packaging has been cancelled, but sellers must print the company's address information.

According to the explanation of relevant personnel, this clause belongs to the "label disclaimer". In simple terms, in the dual system stipulated in the German Packaging Law, each recycling company has its own environmental protection logo, most of which are circular arrow logos, the green dot is a double arrow logo, and REWE is a green plum blossom logo. According to the latest regulations, in order to facilitate users to change contracts with different recycling companies, the obligation to print the environmental protection logo on the packaging is exempted.

The above is the latest news about the German Packaging Law. In addition, cross-border sellers can familiarize themselves with the relevant information on registration of the new German Packaging Law.

According to the latest revision of the Packaging Law, sellers need to provide the following information when registering: company address; sales tax identification number (VAT number); national identification number; list the brand name of the product (if there is no brand, mark the company name).

Registration is not based on the store or brand, but should be completed by the EU importer before the product is shipped to Germany. For example, if a store sells multiple products and has multiple EU importers, then these EU importers are obliged to complete the packaging registration.

The charges under Germany's new packaging law are calculated based on the weight of the packaging materials. Currently, carton packaging can choose the PPK option, which is calculated on a monthly basis. If the packaging weight is below 780kg, a minimum monthly charge of 11.67 euros will be charged, and the annual minimum standard charge is 140 euros.

The new packaging law does not impose any new requirements on packaging itself. If the seller’s packaging materials already comply with the original packaging law, then there is no need to replace the packaging materials, but registration must be completed.

The German VerpackG regulation also makes some additional supplementary amendments to the current packaging law, mainly including: manufacturers are obliged to immediately notify changes to their registration data, and the manufacturer information in the public part of the packaging registration LUCID will be updated daily.

Cross-border sellers can pay more attention to recent new policies, make timely adjustments, and take corresponding measures.

Germany

Packaging