As of January 1, 2026, fireworks consisting entirely or partially of plastic are subject to the Single-Use Plastic Fund Act (EWKFondsG).
A single plastic component is sufficient; the proportion of the total product is irrelevant. For a long time, the amount of the levy was unclear, but since the end of September 2026, the specific rate has been finalized.
What You Need to Know
• Registration: Manufacturers must register with the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) via the DIVID platform. Anyone starting a new business on or after January 1, 2026, must do so before commencing operations.
• Transition period: Manufacturers who were already active before 2026 may still complete registration by December 31, 2026 (Section 29(1) EWKFondsG).
• Levy Amount: The levy will be collected for the first time for the calendar year 2027. The current draft bill stipulates 0.691 euros per kilogram. The total mass of the fireworks article is decisive, not just the plastic content.
• Status: The regulation setting the rate is scheduled to officially take effect on January 1, 2027.
• Quantity Reporting: Manufacturers of fireworks must report the type and mass of products made available in Germany for the first time in the calendar year 2027 to the Federal Environment Agency via DIVID by May 15, 2028. The single-use plastic levy on fireworks will be levied for the first time for the calendar year 2027 and set in 2028.
Particularly Relevant for Retailers
Starting January 1, 2027, retailers may only offer registered fireworks for sale if the responsible manufacturer is registered. The manufacturer list in DIVID—which includes registered brands and product types—shows whether this is the case.
Important to note: Retailers can also be considered manufacturers themselves. This is the case, for example, when they source goods from abroad and make them available on the market in Germany for the first time. In such cases, they are responsible for registration, reporting, and submission themselves. If, on the other hand, the retailer purchases from a company that has already made the goods available in Germany, the manufacturer’s role generally lies with that company.
Our take: The EWKFondsG is part of a series of manufacturer obligations that retailers must increasingly verify within the supply chain. Those who systematically document manufacturer status, registrations, and supporting evidence are well-prepared for such deadlines.
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