The federal government has initiated the Packaging Act Implementation Act (VerpackDG) with today's approval from the Bundesrat. It transposes the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) into national law and is intended to ensure a low-bureaucracy implementation of the new EU requirements from 12 August 2026. At the same time, requirements for recycling, packaging design, and labelling are increasing.
The Packaging Act Implementation Act (VerpackDG) replaces the previous Packaging Act. It supplements the directly applicable regulations of the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which will apply in all EU member states from 12 August 2026. According to the Federal Government, tried-and-tested structures in Germany are to be largely retained in order to implement the new requirements as practically and with as little bureaucracy as possible.
Higher demands on recycling and packaging design
A key element of the new regulation is higher recycling requirements for plastic packaging. From 2028, the dual systems will have to achieve a recycling rate of 75 percent for plastic waste. The law provides for different calculation methods for this purpose. According to the federal government, this should also strengthen sales markets for chemically recycled plastics.
In addition, the law aims to reduce packaging waste overall and make unavoidable packaging recyclable. In future, uniform EU-wide labelling will apply to the correct disposal and recycling of packaging. Furthermore, stricter requirements for packaging design will be introduced. This is intended to avoid difficult-to-recycle materials and certain problematic substances such as PFAS.
Less material usage and more transparency
Further requirements relate to packaging design. Oversized packaging, as well as unnecessary air cushions or double bottoms, are to be restricted in the future. This is intended to save materials and prevent consumer deception.
With today's decision by the Federal Council, the national implementation of European packaging requirements has been completed. From 12 August 2026, new framework conditions for packaging in Germany will apply to manufacturers, distributors and the waste management industry.
Source: Federal Government Press and Information Office
