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Deutsche Recycling
EU: New steps for the Ecodesign Regulation
With the new Ecodesign Regulation, the Council of the European Union has extended and tightened the requirements for sustainable products. This regulation replaces the previous Ecodesign Directive and affects all types of goods that are placed on the EU market.
Sustainability at the heart of product development
The new Ecodesign Regulation covers all product types with a few exceptions such as vehicles and safety products. The requirements relate to aspects such as durability, reusability, retrofitting, reparability, energy and resource efficiency as well as the CO₂ and environmental footprint. One innovation is the digital product passport, which places comprehensive information requirements on the industry.
Focus on public procurement and online retail
An important aspect of the regulation is public procurement, where ecodesign criteria must be taken into account in future. This promotes the production of environmentally friendly products. A ban on the destruction of unsold textiles and shoes will also be introduced, with temporary exemptions for SMEs. This ban could be extended to other products. The regulation will also be harmonised with the Digital Services Act in order to ensure greater sustainability in online retail.
Implementation and future prospects
Following approval by the Council, the Regulation will be published in the Official Journal of the EU after being signed by the President of the European Parliament and the President of the Council. It will enter into force 20 days after its publication and become applicable 24 months later. This gives the industry time to adapt to the new requirements.
If you need support in complying with the regulations, our experts are available to guide you through this process and ensure your organisation is compliant.
By the end of 2023, many beverage manufacturers will have already converted their production and will be supplying their beverages filled in single-use plastic products with a fixed connection between the cap and bottle.
What initially appeared to consumers to be a production error in the cap is stipulated by the regulations of the Disposable Plastics Labelling Ordinance (EWKKennzV), which will not come into force until 3 July 2024. The standard non-removable bottle cap (so-called "tethered caps") is intended to reduce environmental pollution caused by loose plastic lids.
Important for retailers of beverages in single-use plastic products
From 3 July 2024, beverage containers may only be placed on the market if their closures or lids remain firmly attached to the container throughout its service life.
This applies to beverage containers that:
are made of single-use plastic,
have a filling volume of up to 3.0 litres and
whose closures or lids are completely or partially made of plastic.
The ban on placing on the market does not apply to:
beverage containers made of glass or metal with closures or lids made of plastic,
beverage containers whose closures or lids contain plastic seals but are otherwise made of metal
beverage containers that are intended for liquid foodstuffs for certain special medical purposes and are used for this purpose.
It is important that affected companies act in good time in order to remain compliant. Our experts are at your disposal to support you in implementing the necessary measures. Make a free enquiry now.
Several companies have filed complaints to have the compatibility of the Single-Use Plastics Fund Act with German financial constitutional law reviewed.
This special government levy is aimed at manufacturers of single-use plastic products such as to-go food containers, drinks cups, lightweight carrier bags, wet wipes and tobacco filters.
Background to the complaints
The companies complaining come from the service and film packaging, tobacco products and balloons sectors. They criticise the special levy as unconstitutional and argue that it violates their professional freedoms and the financial constitutional provisions of the German Basic Law. Specifically, they criticise the non-existence of the requirements for a special levy and a violation of the principle of connectivity. Instead, the companies are proposing a solution organised by the private sector, which they believe would be less burdensome and constitutional.
Criticism and legal dispute
Since the introduction of the special levy, it has been criticised, particularly by associations such as the IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen, the Industrieverband Papier- und Folienverpackung (IPV) and the Bundesverband der Tabakwirtschaft und neuartiger Erzeugnisse (BVTE). These organisations have repeatedly expressed concerns about the financial burden and the legal basis of the levy. The current step before the Federal Constitutional Court is the result of lengthy deliberations and consultations on possible legal measures.
The Single-Use Plastics Fund Act implements the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive of 2019. This obliges manufacturers of certain single-use plastic products to cover the costs of cleaning, collection and disposal in public spaces. An annual special levy of around 450 million euros is intended to reduce environmental pollution caused by single-use plastics.
Talk with an Expert
Are you a manufacturer of single-use products or are you affected by the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive?
Do you have questions about the Packaging Act?
We will be happy to help you. Simply get in touch with us via chat, e-mail, contact form or telephone. We will answer your enquiry within the next 24 hours.
France: Ban on non-recyclable polystyrene packaging postponed
The French government has officially announced that the ban on packaging made entirely or partially from styrene polymers or copolymers that cannot be recycled will be postponed from 2025 to 2030.
The planned EU regulation stipulates that all packaging must be recyclable by 2030 and should be recycled on an industrial scale by 2035. The industry in France has not yet succeeded in achieving the recyclability of all affected packaging. For this reason, it was decided to postpone the ban until 2030.
This postponement is intended to give the industry more time to adapt its processes and technologies in order to improve the recyclability of polystyrene packaging.
If you are unsure what obligations your company will face or need support in complying with the EU regulation, Deutsche Recycling Service GmbH is your trusted partner.
On 31 May, the Council of the European Union adopted a regulation that pursues the goal of a mercury-free EU. This regulation bans the use of dental amalgam and prohibits the manufacture, import and export of other products containing mercury.
Ban on dental amalgam and other products
From 1 January 2025, the use of dental amalgam will be completely banned in the EU, with exceptions only for compelling medical reasons. The export of dental amalgam will also be banned from this date, while production and import will be prohibited from 1 July 2026. In addition, six other categories of mercury-containing lamps will be subject to a ban on manufacture, import and export from the end of 2025 or 2026.
Next steps and outlook
Following approval by the Council, the regulation will be published in the Official Journal of the EU and will enter into force 20 days later. It will apply in all member states.
Manufacturers, importers and distributors must ensure that their products comply with the regulation when they place them on the European market. Our experts will be happy to support you in checking compliance with the regulation.
Great Britain: Introduction of the deposit system postponed again
The British government has postponed the introduction of its Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) until 2027. Originally planned for August 2023, the launch has already been postponed several times. The government explains the delay with the need to ensure standardised cooperation throughout the UK.
The delays are due to the Welsh Government's demand that glass be included in the deposit system alongside plastic and metal.
Are you a manufacturer of cans and PET bottles or do you sell those products in the UK?
Do you need support with registration or managing your deposit obligation?
We will be happy to help you. Simply get in touch with us. We will respond to your enquiry within 24 hours.
Our experts Sebastian Loges and John Lange will provide you in German with a complete overview of the EU Packaging Regulation on Thursday, 20 June 2024 at 10:30 a.m.
Find out how you can successfully fulfil the various requirements and protect yourself legally.
Register now and secure your place in the webinar!
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