1. Spain: Labelling Requirement for Packaging from 2025
2. Germany: Single-Use Plastics Fund Act
3. EU: EU Battery Regulation: New Obligations from August 2024
4. EU: The Digital Product Passport
5. EU: New Energy Label for Smartphones and Tablets from 2025
6. Webinar Invitation
7. Fresh Up - Reminders / Dates

In addition to these new obligations, the following regulations will apply from 2023:

• Registration obligation: Manufacturers must register in the packaging register and register the packaging placed on the market (household, commercial, trade and industrial packaging).
• Licensing requirement: A packaging licence is required for household packaging placed on the market. From 2025, the licensing requirement will be extended to commercial and industrial packaging.
• Recycling organisation: Companies that sell household packaging must already join waste management organisations.  
• NIF number: The Spanish Ministry of the Environment requires foreign companies that are subject to registration in the packaging register to have a Spanish tax number for non-resident companies. This number is known as the NIF number. A foreign VAT ID is therefore not accepted by the Spanish authorities.

If you need support in complying with the new packaging law regulations in Spain, or if you need an authorised representative to apply for a NIF number, our experts are always available to help you.

The EWKFondsG obliges manufacturers of single-use plastics to pay a levy. This levy is used to cover the costs of collecting and disposing of single-use plastics in public areas. This relieves the financial burden on public waste disposal organisations.

In addition, the EWKFondsV specifies how high these levy rates are and how the payment system for the fund works.

What manufacturers must do!

• Registration: Manufacturers who started their activities before 1 January 2024 must register on DIVID, the German Environment Agency's single-use plastic fund platform, by 31 December 2024.

• Foreign companies that supply their products directly to private or commercial users in Germany must also register. From 2025, they must appoint an authorised representative to fulfil their obligations.

• Reporting: Manufacturers of single-use plastics must report their quantities annually by 15 May (for the first time in 2025).
  
  

Watch out online retailers!

From 1 January 2025, the operators of electronic marketplaces and fulfilment service providers will also be explicitly held responsible.

Operators of electronic marketplaces (such as Amazon or eBay) and fulfilment service providers may not offer single-use plastic products from manufacturers that are not registered in the Single-Use Plastic Fund. This means that only registered manufacturers may sell their products on these platforms.

Sanctions for non-registered manufacturers

• Ban on offering: From 1 January 2025, single-use plastic products may only be offered if the manufacturer is registered in the Single-Use Plastic Fund.
• Fines: If a manufacturer offers its products without registration, it may face a fine of up to 100,000 euros.
• Anti-competitive behaviour: A violation of this regulation is considered anti-competitive.

If you are unsure what obligations your company faces or need support in complying with the EWKFondsG, Deutsche Recycling Service GmbH is a trustworthy partner at your side.

Click on the button below now to make a free enquiry and receive support.

The new obligations for producers

• Conformity assessment: Producers must ensure that their batteries have undergone a conformity assessment procedure and have an EU declaration of conformity.
• CE labelling: Batteries must be CE-labelled.
• Labelling: Batteries must be labelled with model identification, batch number and producer identification (name, trademark, postal address).
• Operating instructions and safety instructions: These must accompany the batteries.
  
  

The new obligations for importers

• Control obligations: Importers must ensure that the batteries have the required conformity assessments and labelling.
• Importer labelling: Importers must affix their own details (name, address) to the batteries if the producer is located outside the EU.
• Retention of documentation: Importers must retain relevant documents and be able to present them if required.
• Remedial action/recalls: Importers must take action if batteries do not meet the requirements.

The new obligations for distributors:

• Inspection obligations: Distributors must ensure that batteries are correctly labelled and have the required conformity assessments.
• Sales bans: Retailers must not sell batteries that do not comply with the regulations.
• Duty to co-operate: Retailers must co-operate with the authorities and other market players to ensure compliance.

Extensive standardisation work is required to implement the new EU directive. Technical consultations have begun and the first results are expected in the course of 2024. The aim of this work is to standardise the assessment of reparability.

Objectives of the new label

The new energy label is intended to provide consumers with clear information on the repairability of appliances, which can help them choose more durable products. This could also increase the demand for easily repairable appliances and encourage manufacturers to improve repairability.

A step towards more sustainable consumption

The label is part of the EU strategy to promote sustainable consumption habits and support the circular economy. It enables greater transparency and supports consumers in making environmentally conscious purchasing decisions. From 2025, the label will be introduced on the market, which will potentially shift the focus towards more durable, repair-friendly products.

Deutsche Recycling offers a legal monitoring service that provides relevant information and supports implementation. Our advisory team is available to answer any questions.