Single-Use Plastic Fund Act (EWKFondsG): Manufacturer Obligations
The Single-Use Plastic Fund Act (EWKFondsG) is a key measure for reducing the environmental impact of single-use plastics. It establishes extended producer responsibility and requires companies to contribute to the public sector’s disposal costs.
As your compliance partner, ECOPV-EU GmbH supports you in ensuring legally compliant implementation.
Scope of Application: Which products are affected?
The term “single-use plastic” refers to products made entirely or partially of plastic that are not designed for repeated use. These include:
- To-go food containers & beverage cups
- Bag and film packaging
- Beverage containers up to 3 liters
- Lightweight plastic shopping bags
- Wet wipes, balloons, and tobacco filters
Who is responsible?
These obligations apply to manufacturers, importers, and distance sellers who place these products on the German market for the first time. Companies that import single-use plastics into Germany must also ensure that they properly fulfill their reporting and disposal obligations.
The core obligations under the EWKFondsG
Companies must fully document their material flows and manage them via the Federal Environment Agency’s (UBA) central portal:
- Registration: Mandatory registration of all affected manufacturers in the DIVID portal.
- Reporting requirement: Annual submission of volume reports (in kilograms) for products placed on the market.
- Payment requirement: Payment of the single-use plastic levy into the fund, based on the reported volumes.
Risks Associated with Violations and Non-Compliance
Failure to register or providing incorrect quantity information will result in severe penalties:
Fines: Administrative penalties of up to 100,000 euros.
Sales bans: Prohibition on placing the affected products on the market.
Damage to reputation: Legal consequences imposed by the Federal Environment Agency.
Our Service
ECOPV-EU GmbH not only helps you comply with legal requirements, but also places a special emphasis on protecting the environment. Proper and transparent implementation is the foundation of everything. So why not do something good for the environment?
Specific requirements for manufacturers under the EWKFondsG
Authorized representative
Manufacturers based outside Germany must appoint an authorized representative based in Germany to fulfill certain manufacturer obligations under the EWKFondsG.
Registration
Similar to packaging, there is also a registration requirement for single-use plastics, which is handled through DIVID, the platform of the Federal Environment Agency’s Single-Use Plastics Fund.
Quantity report
Manufacturers must regularly report the quantities of products they place on the market. This helps keep track of the number of products in circulation.
FAQ
What is EWKFondsG?
The Single-Use Plastics Fund Act implements the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD). The directive includes numerous measures to reduce the consumption of certain single-use plastic products and limit the careless disposal of waste into the environment.
What counts as single-use plastic?
Plastic takes centuries to decompose and, if not handled properly, can pollute the oceans, freshwater sources, and land. Common examples of single-use plastics include plastic cutlery, straws, beverage containers, and food containers.
Who is subject to the Single-Use Plastic Fund Act?
The law applies to companies established in Germany that make these products available or sell them on the German market for the first time on a commercial basis. Companies based abroad that sell these single-use plastic products to Germany are also subject to the law.
What must manufacturers of single-use plastic products do starting in 2025?
Starting in 2024, manufacturers of single-use plastic products – such as cigarette filters, beverage cups, and plastic packaging – must contribute to the costs of waste disposal in parks and on streets. To manage and process the fees that companies are required to pay into the Single-Use Plastic Fund, the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) has established the digital platform DIVID.
The Single-Use Plastic Fund Act (EWKFondsG)
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