Yes, starting July 1, 2026! Single-use e-cigarettes must be accepted for return free of charge at every point of sale – no matter how small the store is.

Starting in July 2026, a standardized, two-color logo indicating the acceptance of used equipment will be mandatory:

• Physical stores: At least A4 size, clearly visible (e.g., at the entrance).
• Online: Prominently displayed on the homepage or directly within the checkout process.
• On the shelf: Large retailers must also display the “crossed-out trash can” symbol directly at the point of sale.

What matters is not who manufactures the product, but who first introduces it to the German market. This applies to:

• Domestic manufacturers and bottlers.
• Importers who bring goods into Germany from abroad.
• Foreign online retailers who ship directly to German consumers.

The tax applies to, among other things:

• Food containers for immediate consumption (to-go).
• Paper and plastic bags and packaging.
• Drink cups and containers (up to 3 liters).
• Lightweight plastic shopping bags.
• Wet wipes, balloons, and tobacco filters.

New as of 2026: Fireworks are now also subject to the levy, provided they contain plastic.

Mark May 15, 2026, in red on your calendar! By this deadline, the exact weight (in kilograms) of the products sold in the previous year must be reported via the DIVID platform.

No. The requirement applies starting with the first gram.

The new BattDG has been in effect since 2025. It supplements the EU Battery Regulation at the national level.

• Focus: The regulation no longer covers only disposal, but the entire life cycle (circular economy).
• Recycling: Significantly higher recovery rates apply to raw materials such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel.

It doesn’t just affect the factories that manufacture batteries.

The following are considered manufacturers under the BattDG:

• Producers: Anyone who manufactures batteries in Germany.
• Importers: Anyone who imports batteries (including those in devices such as laptops, e-bikes, or power tools) into Germany from non-EU countries (e.g., China or the U.S.).
• Quasi-manufacturers: Anyone who sells batteries under their own brand name (private labeling).
• Foreign retailers without a German branch (in this case, the appointment of an authorized representative is mandatory)

Since 2025, the law has distinguished between five categories:

1. Portable batteries: Household batteries, button cells.
2. LMT batteries: “Light Means of Transport,” e.g., for e-bikes and e-scooters.
3. Starter batteries: Conventional automotive batteries.
4. Industrial batteries: Stationary storage systems, backup systems.
5. Electric vehicle batteries

To remain eligible for sale, two requirements must be met:

1. Registration: Every manufacturer must have a valid registration number (Batt-Reg. No.) with the ear Foundation. Without this number, an immediate sales ban applies.
2. Take-back system: Registration alone is not sufficient. You must join an approved producer responsibility organization (OfH) (e.g., ECOPV-EU). This organization will handle the collection and recycling on your behalf.