The deadline for registering for the Single-Use Plastic Fund is drawing to a close. Manufacturers of single-use plastic products still have until 31 December 2024 to register with the Federal Environment Agency in order to avoid the threat of fines and sales bans.
Companies that manufacture single-use plastic products such as cigarette filters, drinks cups or film packaging are obliged to register on the DIVID digital platform of the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) to register. This applies to all manufacturers who started their activities before 1 January 2024. The Registration is part of the implementation of the Single-Use Plastics Fund Act, which has been in force since the beginning of 2024 and obliges manufacturers to contribute financially to the disposal of plastic waste.
By law, companies must pay an annual levy into a special fund managed by the UBA. The resulting The funds generated are intended to help local authorities finance waste disposal. in public areas such as streets and parks as well as awareness-raising measures. The first payment from companies will be made in 2025 retroactively based on the quantities from 2024.
Penalties for offences
Manufacturers who do not register on time risk severe consequences. Violations of the registration obligation are considered an administrative offence and can be punished with fines of up to 100,000 euros. In addition, companies that do not register will no longer be allowed to sell their products in Germany from 2025.
Information services on the DIVID platform
The Federal Environment Agency provides comprehensive information on the new legal requirements on the DIVID platform. In addition to FAQ areas, self-checks are available to affected companies. to check whether you are affected. If there are any uncertainties, applications for categorisation can be submitted for a fee in order to clarify products or the manufacturer's status. From March 2025, the Federal Environment Agency also plans to check the product ranges registered by manufacturers for completeness.
Source: BMUV, Federal Environment Agency
