Companies selling goods in Germany face fines and sales bans of up to 50,000 euros if they fail to comply with Germany’s latest packaging law.
The bill, which was passed in May last year and will come into force in early 2019, aims to improve existing packaging laws by centralizing recycling and preventing packaging waste.
As part of the bill, recycling targets for different packaging materials will increase from 36% to 63% by 2022. The bill will also encourage reusable packaging, with the goal of reusable beverage packaging up to 70%.
In addition, the bill will encourage packaging manufacturers to incorporate recyclability considerations into packaging design.
In addition, all enterprises must register in the packaging centre to maintain market access.
According to Lorax Compliance, a consulting firm, companies that produce more than 80,000 kilograms of glass, 50,000 kilograms of paper and cardboard for packaging, and 30,000 kilograms of aluminum, plastics and compounds sold in Germany should submit a DOC. Otherwise, it may result in a fine of 50 thousand euros.
Michelle Carvell, chief operating officer of Lorax Compliance, explained: “Germany has set some ambitious future recycling targets, which will greatly affect the future of producers.”
The legislation applies to all manufacturers, importers, distributors and online retailers that place goods on the German market.
All companies selling goods in Germany must be prepared to participate in a dual system to arrange packaging recycling after use and continue trading in Germany.