LUCID, the packaging register set up and operated by the ZSVR, has broken the one million registration barrier. This figure shows: The packaging recycling market has become more transparent and fairer. More and more companies are assuming product responsibility for their packaging.
From 55,000 to 1,000,000 - in just five years: Before the Packaging Act was introduced, the packaging recycling market was on the verge of collapse several times. It is true that companies have had to assume financial product responsibility for their packaging and pay for its recycling since 1993. However, many of them ignored this packaging law obligation to participate in the system. The aim of the ZSVR is to use transparency to make the packaging disposal market fairer for companies at home and abroad. Therefore the LUCID packaging register is public and accessible to everyone.
Extended registration obligation and controls are having an effect
The most recent amendment to the Packaging Act in particular was a major step towards a level playing field. Regardless of the packaging in which companies sell their goods commercially in Germany for the first time: Since 1 July 2022, they must register in the LUCID packaging register. The ZSVR has streamlined the registration process in order to minimise the organisational effort for companies. The process is now even more user-friendly thanks to visual packaging examples and explanations.
In addition, since July 2022, a separate Audit obligation for electronic marketplaces and fulfilment service providers. They must check whether their retailers or customers fulfil the registration and system participation obligations. Otherwise, the marketplaces may no longer allow online retailers to offer their goods; fulfilment service providers may no longer provide their services to their customers. To support marketplaces and fulfilers in their controls, the ZSVR provides them with a digital register retrieval service. They can automatically check the registration status of their business partners via an API interface.
Registration figures in the LUCID packaging register have risen significantly since the end of 2021, and even significantly in 2022. Almost 750,000 companies have registered since January 2022, of which more than 400,000 from China alone. The number continues to grow every day - and now stands at more than one million from more than 160 countries.
This development is the result of the consistent digitalisation of all processes, The company's success was based on a high level of automation, stringent public relations work and eye-catching campaigns. A high degree of automation and agile working methods also helped.
For fair competition: the ZSVR lays down the rules of the game
In order to achieve a level playing field, the ZSVR has defined the rules of the game within the legal framework: Whether a packaging is subject to system participation or not companies can find out quickly and unbureaucratically with the catalogue of packaging subject to system participation. When a packaging is recyclable, answers the annually updated minimum standard for recyclable packaging. Independent auditors, who are also registered in the ZSVR's register of auditors, also provide certification, that companies with significant packaging volumes fulfil their product responsibility.
With the millionth registration in the LUCID packaging register, the ZSVR has created unprecedented transparency. On this basis, it identifies offences and prepares for enforcement. The ZSVR has handed over more than 20,000 administrative offences to the enforcement authorities of the federal states since 2019. This is also done automatically via the LUCID authority portal.
„One million registrations in the LUCID packaging register - that's more than just a number. It is an expression of the great strides we have already made towards a level playing field. The ZSVR and the LUCID packaging register play a pioneering role internationally and are seen as role models. The legislator has introduced pioneering regulations and anticipated planned requirements of the European Packaging Ordinance, such as the control obligations of marketplaces. This means we are well equipped for what is planned at EU level.“
Gunda Rachut, ZSVR Board of Directors
SourceZSVR
