The Central Agency Packaging Register (ZSVR) is launching a consultation process on the minimum standard for measuring the recyclable design of packaging. The process started in 2018 to promote recyclable packaging on the basis of the Packaging Act is to be further expanded with this minimum standard.
Procedure of the consultation process
The stakeholders are now invited to contribute constructively to further development as part of the consultation process. They can now submit their comments until 12 July 2019. The comments will then be reviewed. In consultation with the Federal Environment Agency, the ZSVR will publish the final minimum standard on 1 September 2019.
On 1 September 2019 the ZSVR must publish a minimum standard for assessing the recyclable design of packaging due to the legal requirement of Section 21 VerpackG. This is done in agreement with the Federal Environment Agency. The minimum standard was developed in draft form based on the guidance from 2018. All experiences from the first year have been incorporated into this standard.
The Packaging Act regulates product responsibility for packaging in a much more demanding way. Already with the Conception of packaging the actual practice of sorting and recycling should be taken into account. The development of a minimum standard requires a high level of expert knowledge. The knowledge of the entire value chain for all material groups has been incorporated into the development of the current draft.
Background to the procedure
In Germany, manufacturers and retailers are obliged under the Packaging Act to participate financially in a system for all sales packaging that typically accumulates as waste with private end consumers. Due to the fact that the Packaging Act Recycling rates are much more demanding, system participation alone is no longer sufficient.
In addition, the manufacturers should Recycling friendliness of the packaging design to comprehensively fulfil their product responsibility. In addition to the minimum standard, the systems must also provide better financial support for packaging containing recyclates or renewable raw materials.
Source: Central Agency Packaging Register
