We warmly welcome you to our 9th newsletter 2024! 🌍

With the newsletter, we regularly provide our subscribers with specialized information focusing on EPR-compliance.

If you have any questions, our experts are available for personal consultation.

We hope you enjoy reading the newsletter and look forward to your feedback!
 
Best regards,

Deutsche Recycling

New proposals for the disposal of electrical appliances

The amendment to the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG) has proposed some important changes and measures to improve the recycling and disposal of electrical appliances:

1. Improved return options: In future, shops will have to label standardised collection points to make it easier for consumers to return their old appliances. The option to return devices without having to buy new ones at the same time will be extended to devices with an edge length of up to 50 centimetres.
2. Extension of the take-back obligation: In future, it must be possible to take back disposable e-cigarettes at all points of sale in order to ensure proper disposal and minimise environmental damage.
3. Minimisation of fire risks: Incorrectly disposed of lithium batteries pose a significant fire risk. The amendment aims to minimise these risks in order to avoid fires and disposal bottlenecks.
4. Trained sorting at recycling centres: In future, old electrical appliances should only be sorted by trained staff at recycling centres in order to reduce damage and risks during disposal.
5. Improving information: Consumers should be better informed so that more old electrical appliances can be recycled. Small electrical appliances can already be handed in free of charge at many food retailers, regardless of whether they are new purchases.

The consequences for manufacturers

For manufacturers, importers and retailers, these changes mean greater responsibility for the take-back and disposal of their products. They may need to expand their take-back and recycling programmes and ensure that their products comply with the new legal requirements. They should also improve consumer information to make it easier for consumers to return and dispose of their products and raise awareness of environmentally sound disposal.

The amendment to the law is due to be passed during this legislative period and is currently open for consultation for companies, associations and civil society organisations until 23 May 2024.

If you need assistance with compliance, our experts are available to guide you through this process and ensure your organisation is compliant. Click the button below now to make a free enquiry and receive support.

The draft law to adapt to the new EU Battery Regulation

1. Greater producer responsibility: Manufacturers, importers and retailers must take greater care of the take-back and disposal of their products, especially batteries containing lithium and old appliances. The information and take-back obligations should be made stricter and more specific.
2. Urgent need for action: There is a demand for greater solutions to effectively tackle problems such as battery fires. Manufacturers could be obliged to set up a manufacturer-financed fund that compensates for damage caused by battery fires and provides funds for improved collection of waste electrical and electronic equipment containing batteries.
3. Comprehensive measures: The BDE calls for a holistic approach to producer responsibility that goes beyond the steps taken so far and addresses the real problems facing the waste management industry. This could also include closer cooperation with the competent authorities and more effective monitoring of enforcement.

Update: Plastic tax in Italy 7th postponement

The Italian parliament has passed a law that introduces a tax on single-use plastic packaging. According to the latest status, the introduction was to take place in July 2024, but this new measure is now set to come into force on 1 July 2026. 

As a result, manufacturers of single-use plastics will have additional obligations, including registration, filing tax returns and paying compliance fees.

Background

In accordance with Directive 2019/904/EU, Italy has enacted tax legislation and introduced a national system. The aim is to reduce the production and consumption of single-use plastic products, known as MACSI.

Scope of application

The upcoming tax will apply to single-use plastic products made entirely or partially from synthetic organic polymers. The range of items covered includes bottles, bags, food containers, packaging, bubble wrap and similar products made from plastic materials.

Certain exemptions are provided for in the new tax legislation. These include products intended for permanent use, medical devices and products used to store and protect medicines.

Compostable plastic in accordance with the provisions of DIN EN 13432 and plastic from recycling processes are also exempt from the tax.

Who is affected

In Italy the following parties are obliged:

• Manufacturer, for MACSI produced in Italy
• Seller, for any Italian entity that intends to sell MACSI produced on its behalf to other Italian entities
• Buyers, in cases where the products are purchased from other EU countries and sold for commercial purposes
• EU suppliers, when the products are purchased from other EU countries and sold to an individual consumer
• Importers, for manufactured goods from non-EU countries

The tax liability arises when the items are produced, imported into the national territory or imported from another EU country.

Individuals without a formally established entity in Italy must appoint a tax representative who shares joint liability with the individual or entity.

If the amount of plastic tax payable is less than €25, no tax declaration is required and the related payment is not applicable.

Tax rate

The tax rate is €0.45 per kilogram of virgin plastic in MACSI.

Penalties for non-compliance

Manufacturers who do not comply with the plastic tax regulations will be subject to fines and penalties.

• Are you a manufacturer of single-use products or are you affected by the Italian plastic tax?

   

• Do you have questions about the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive?

   

• Do you need support with registration or with the administration of your tax obligation?

We are here to help. Simply get in touch with us via chat, email, contact form, or phone. We will respond to your inquiries within the next 24 hours.

Recycling label on packaging -

mandatory or optional

The finalisation of the PPWR is in full swing and is expected in autumn 2024. Implementation should then be able to begin. As a result, the new EU packaging regulation will come into effect 18 months later at the latest.

Labelling and transparency are one of the objectives of the PPWR. This means that packaging must be clearly labelled to inform consumers about recyclability and the correct disposal route. This should make recycling easier and reduce the amount of packaging waste that is incorrectly disposed of.

In the following blog articles, you can find out more about the recycling labels and whether these labels are mandatory or voluntary in the EU countries.

Invitation to webinar

EPR obligations in France - The Complete Guide to compliance

Our expert Sascha Aue will provide you with a complete guide to compliance with EPR regulations in France on Wednesday, 29 May 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!

To ensure that you continue to receive an informative and appealing newsletter in the future, we look forward to your feedback. Please feel free to send me an email with your comments and suggestions for improvement. 

Your Marketing Team

Christine Schneider

 & Anh-Thu Luong 

DR Deutsche Recycling Service GmbH
Bonner Straße 484 – 486
50968 Cologne
Phone +49 221 80033210
Fax +49 221 80033229

info@deutsche-recycling.de

www.deutsche-recycling.de