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

Midterm Review: Six Months of the “Counter Model” Under the ElektroG
The latest amendment to the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG4) has been in effect since January 2026. A key

Important Legislative Change: New Take-Back Requirement for Disposable E-Cigarettes
Starting July 1, 2026, expanded regulations for the sale of single-use vapes will take effect. All retail outlets must now

PPWR Declaration of Conformity: The Legal Foundation for Packaging Starting in August 2026
The new EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) will take effect on August 12, 2026. Without a legally binding Declaration of Conformity

Germany’s Packaging Act – What Companies Need to Know About the LUCID Registry
Anyone who commercially places packaged goods into circulation in Germany is responsible for their disposal and recycling. The Packaging Act

Why the Tighter REACH Regulations Affect Every Product Supplier
The EU is drastically tightening its regulations on chemicals. This no longer affects just the chemical industry, but everyone who

From Intermediary to Enforcer – The Role of Marketplaces
Online marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay, and Zalando no longer act as passive intermediaries. With the entry into force of

WEEE regulations are changing: More markets. More complexity.
Anyone who sells electrical and electronic equipment in Europe quickly realizes that implementation of the WEEE Directive is inconsistent. The

EPR Authorized Representative for Packaging: PPWR Obligations Effective August 2026
With the EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) set to take effect on August 12, 2026, cross-border trade is facing profound changes.

EPR Compliance in Italy in 2026: Do You Know Your Obligations Regarding Packaging, Batteries, and WEEE?
The Italian Ministry of the Environment (MASE) is cracking down on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Anyone who places packaging, batteries,

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

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

What exactly is the insolvency-proof guarantee?
Anyone selling electrical appliances in Germany must comply with important legal regulations. A key requirement is the insolvency-proof guarantee. Many

ElektroG Compliance: What matters when it comes to small appliances
Did you know that a flashing greeting card is legally classified as an electrical device? The reason is the “open

🔋 E-bike Batteries: Boom, Fire Hazard & Disposal
The numbers speak for themselves: 15.7 million e-bikes were on German roads in 2024 – a massive increase compared to