How the new EU Packaging Ordinance (PPWR) can be implemented in practice was the topic of a joint digital event organised by BDE and DGAW. The trade associations presented clear demands to politicians, businesses and legislators - focussing on legal clarity, the use of recyclates and practical incentives.
The circular economy is facing a radical change: the EU's new packaging regulation (PPWR) is set to make standardised requirements for packaging design, reusability and the use of recyclates binding across Europe. In a digital discussion round with over 300 participants, the Federal Association of the German Waste, Water and Recycling Industry (BDE) and the German Association for Waste Management (DGAW) have now formulated specific requirements for realistically and efficiently implementing the objectives of the regulation.
In addition to the target corridor of the PPWR, the key question was how to create legally binding and practicable requirements for companies. Lawyer Lars S. Otto emphasised that without precise specifications at national level, many of the regulations would be legally meaningless.
There was agreement that a practical design was essential - not only in terms of recycling targets, but also for investment security.
The goals of the PPWR are ambitious and correct. It is now crucial that they do not become mere paper targets. We need clear, legally secure framework conditions - so that companies can invest and the circular circular economy works in practice.
One particularly controversial aspect was the planned fund regulation in Section 21 of the German Packaging Act. This provides for financial incentives for recycling-friendly packaging design to be managed via a central fund - a solution that has met with scepticism within the industry.
Jens Nießmann from Reclay Systems suggested introducing a differentiated spread of fees instead, which would manage without new bureaucratic structures and still achieve the desired steering effects. Stefan Böhme from BDE also called for existing waste management structures not to be jeopardised and for the EPR to be designed as competitively and efficiently as possible.
According to Gunda Rachut from the Central Packaging Register Foundation (ZSVR), the issue of design standards is key. She explained that the future declaration of conformity offers a great opportunity, but must be linked to a standardised Europe-wide standard for recycling-friendly packaging design.
At the same time, according to Dr Anno Oexle (DGAW), access to high-quality recyclates is also critical. Without functioning markets with reliable quality and sufficient availability, it will be difficult to actually fulfil the PPWR quotas, he believes.
The associations emphasised that the industry was ready to take responsibility - but that clear and realistic framework conditions were needed. Dr Bruckschen and Dr Oexle jointly called on politicians to set the necessary course „quickly, soundly and with a view to practical application“.
