The German federal government is advocating at the EU level for targeted amendments to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) in order to significantly reduce the bureaucratic burden, particularly on smaller businesses.
An overview of the key demands:
- Exemptions for small businesses: Retailers who place less than 10 metric tons of packaging on the EU market each year should be exempt from the requirement to appoint an authorized representative in every single EU country of delivery.
- Focus on cross-border e-commerce: Cross-border online trade suffers significantly from country-specific bureaucratic hurdles and high additional costs. Germany is calling for simplified solutions in this area.
- Postponement of the registration system: To allow time for the establishment of a central European registry, the obligation to register in the new system should be postponed until mid-2028.
- Changes Directly at the EU Level: Since unilateral national measures cannot solve the problems, the German government is actively seeking the support of other EU member states for direct amendments to the text of the regulation.
The environmental goals of the regulation are not up for debate. Germany expressly supports the expansion of recycling, reuse, and the circular economy. However, implementation must not become disproportionately complex for smaller businesses.
What does this mean for businesses?
Although the PPWR will take effect in August 2026, the political debate over exemptions remains dynamic. Online retailers operating internationally should keep an eye on the latest developments, but at the same time must ensure they comply with the regulation’s provisions that are already in force.
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