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EPR-News & Updates
Stay Informed
EPR-News & Updates

ZEREZ – What’s behind the requirement for solar power systems?
As of February 1, 2025, it is mandatory in Germany to provide the ZEREZ ID for the grid connection of

WEEE number: Required for the sale of electrical appliances in Germany
Anyone who manufactures electrical appliances in Germany, imports them into Germany, or offers them for sale here for the first

PPWR: What’s Changing in Fruit and Vegetable Packaging Starting in 2030
Starting August 12, 2026, the EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) will become mandatory in all EU member states, thereby replacing existing

Cigarette Butts: The underestimated hazardous waste in our environment
Flicking cigarette butts onto the street is often still tolerated, even though a single butt – with its mix of

Who pays for cleanliness? The focus on Single-Use Plastics
Single-use plastic products end up as litter in our environment far too often and pollute the oceans. To combat littering,

Plastic-Free Straws: What the ban really achieves – and which alternative is gaining ground
Since July 3, 2021, single-use plastic straws may no longer be placed on the market in the EU. The directive

Earth Day 2026
Today is April 22. This date is more than just a mark on the calendar – it stands worldwide for

Removable batteries in smartphones will be mandatory starting in 2027
Starting in 2027, there will be a noticeable change for smartphones in the EU: The removable battery is making a

Tethered Caps: Why the lid now stays attached to the bottle ♻️
Have you ever gotten frustrated by a cap that’s stuck to the bottle when you’re trying to drink? Since July

Disposable vapes: Fires in trash cans and recycling centers
The use of disposable e-cigarettes is booming – and with it, a massive safety risk. Because the built-in lithium-ion batteries

To-go cup tax: The cost of disposable cups is rising – who pays what?
According to DUH (Environmental Action Germany), Germany consumed approximately 36 billion single-use packaging items in 2022 (8 billion cups, 28

PFAS: Why these “forever chemicals” are now being regulated
PFAS are a large group of artificially produced chemicals. Experts often refer to them as “forever chemicals.” The reason for

The amount of portable batteries collected is steadily increasing!
The amount of portable batteries collected is steadily increasing! The amount of used batteries and rechargeable batteries collected in Germany

More than just recycling: How the R hierarchy guides the circular economy
In public discourse, recycling is often regarded as the ultimate solution. However, the scientific and legal waste hierarchy shows that

Photovoltaics in Germany: From a Launch in Space to a Mainstay of the Energy Mix
The modern solar cell was invented in 1954. Once an expensive technology used in satellites, it now supplies a large

The Future of the Solar Industry: What you need to know about the new EU regulations
Die Zukunft der PV-Branche: Was Sie über die neuen EU-Vorgaben wissen müssen Die Zukunft der PV-Branche: Was Sie über die

Circular Economy instead of Waste Export: A closer look at the new EU Waste Shipment Regulation
On November 21, 2026, the official ban on the export of EU plastic waste to non-OECD countries will take effect.Although

The “Disposal Wave”: What Happens to Our Solar Panels After 30 Years? ☀️♻️
The “Disposal Wave”: What Happens to Our Solar Panels After 30 Years? ☀️♻️ Die „Entsorgungswelle“: Was passiert mit unseren Solarmodulen

The Future of the Circular Economy: Collection Targets for Batteries
With the new Battery Act Implementation Act (BattDG) and the EU Battery Regulation, stricter rules for disposal and recycling are

The EU Repairability and Durability Index 2026/2027
The EU Repairability and Durability Index 2026/2027 In the summer of 2026, the “European Green Deal” will drive the transition

Guide and Checklist: EPR Compliance for Batteries in Belgium
Elementor #17155 Guide and Checklist: EPR Compliance for Batteries in Belgium Anyone who sells battery-powered products in Belgium is familiar

ECOPV-EU operates its own collection system for used device batteries
As an officially recognized Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO), ECOPV-EU is your certified partner and operational service provider for extended producer

PPWR 2026: The clock is ticking for the packaging industry!
The EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) will take effect on August 12, 2026. The EU’s goal is to reduce waste by

Deceptive packaging: paper on the outside, plastic on the inside
We’re all familiar with takeout cups labeled “eco-friendly” or “sustainable.” But beneath that supposedly green exterior, there’s almost always a