We wish you a healthy and successful 2024! 

We warmly welcome you to our Newsletter 1/2024!

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.

Today's topics at a glance

1. Important compliance deadlines in 2024 
2. Changes and deadlines 
3. The EU Textile Strategy: Harmonisation of extended producer responsibility for sustainability in Europe
4. Deposit regulations in Sweden: What manufacturers need to know 
5. Digital product passport for sustainable products

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

Best regards,
Deutsche Recycling

Important compliance deadlines

in 2024

Denmark:

- From 1 January 2024, Denmark has introduced a bonus-malus model for an extended warranty period for electrical and electronic products. The fees will be levied for the first time on 1 January 2025 after the market volumes for 2024 have been reported.

- By 1 April 2024, the Danish dpa system expects companies placing packaging on the Danish market to register and provide information on the expected packaging volume for 2024 in Denmark.

Finland:

- Finland has abolished the packaging threshold from 1 January 2024. Companies that place packaging on the Finnish market must now register and participate in one of the collective packaging schemes.

France:

- On 1 January 2024, French Decree 2022-748 (Article R541-222) stipulates that manufacturers of construction products, materials, toys and motor vehicles must publish environmental information on a dedicated website. There is also a new visibility requirement for the durability index for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). This decree applies to companies with an annual turnover of more than 20 million euros that sell at least 10,000 units per year in France.

- Stocks of garden products and toys without the French Triman logo must be exhausted by 6 June 2024. After this date, compliance with Triman labelling will become mandatory under French regulations. 

- From 25 August 2024, decorative textiles in France will require Triman labelling. 

Germany:

- Germany has introduced a revised tariff list for official fees related to WEEE and batteries (ElektroGBattGGebV) from 1 January 2024.

- Effective from January 1, 2024, Germany has implemented a tax on single-use plastics, aligning with the Single-Use Plastics Directive, with the first payment due in 2025.

Italy:

- 1 July 2024 is the deadline in Italy for the implementation of the plastic tax, which will eventually be applied at €0.45 per kg of virgin plastic. The tax aims to reduce single-use plastic products (MACSI), with exceptions for medical devices or products used for storage and protection. 

Europa:

- From 18 February 2023, the new Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, which has been in force since 18 August 2023, will come into force in phases throughout the European Union. 

- The EU Commission plans to revise the Textile Labelling Regulation by 31 December 2024 and introduce specifications for physical and digital textile labels that include sustainability and circularity parameters, based on proposed ecodesign regulations for sustainable EU products.

United Kingdom:

- 31 May 2024 is the final reporting deadline for large manufacturers under the new UK packaging EPR. 

USA:

- As of 1 January 2024, manufacturers of single-use plastic packaging and tableware operating in California must join a producer responsibility organisation (PRO) in order to sell, import or distribute these materials in the state. 

Vietnam:

- Vietnam has introduced specific recycling obligations for batteries from 1 January 2024. 

Changes and Deadlines

The year 2024 has begun and brings with it important changes for environmental compliance. It is important to act proactively in order to fulfil the legal requirements.

Finland's EPR for packaging: new turnover limit regulation

Adjustments to the regulations 

The extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging in Finland, which previously applied to companies with a global annual turnover of at least 1 million euros, is now relevant for all companies, regardless of their size. 

However, this turnover limit will be lifted from 1 January 2024. As a result, small companies that place packaging on the Finnish market and were previously exempt from the registration requirement will also be obliged to register from this date and will be covered by the new regulation.

From 1 January 2024: New EPR for waste electrical and electronic equipment  

In Turkey, extended producer responsibility for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) will come into force on 1 January 2024.
The new regulations also entail obligations for manufacturers and distributors.

They must register and submit quantity declarations. Foreign direct distributors must appoint an authorised representative. Participation in collection systems and payment of disposal fees are mandatory and require notifications to authorities and collection systems.

Improved collection and recycling structures in Jordan from 1 January 2024
The Jordanian government has decided to introduce improved collection and recycling structures from 1 January 2024.

According to the new law, its provisions are considered mandatory for all first-time distributors and manufacturers of packaging if their local sales exceed 50 million dinars (approx. 64 million euros) and their annual packaging material amounts to 1,000 tonnes. 

Need for action for affected companies

It is important that affected companies act in due time in order to remain compliant. Our experts are at your disposal to support you in implementing the necessary measures. Click on the button below now to request a free enquiry.

The EU Textile Strategy: Harmonisation of extended producer responsibility for sustainability in Europe 

The European Union has acted decisively to minimise the environmental impact of the textile industry. The EU Textile Strategy, which was developed as part of this endeavour, aims to strengthen producer responsibility for the entire life cycle of textile products and to promote sustainable management of textile waste. 

In this article, we take a neutral look at the sustainability of the textile industry and focus in particular on the EU's ambitious plans to harmonise extended producer responsibility (EPR) for textiles in all member states. 

Talk with an Expert!

• Have questions about electrical, packaging, or battery law?

• Do you want to apply for a WEEE number or require an insolvency-proof guarantee?

We are happy to help you. Contact us via chat, email, contact form or simply call us. We will answer your inquiries within the next 24 hours.

Peposit regulations in Sweden:

What manufacturers need to know 

The deposit scheme for plastic bottles and metal cans in Sweden will introduce an innovation from 1 January 2024. Here is an overview. 

Increased controls and high penalties for deposit offences

Producers of beverages in plastic bottles and metal cans are obliged to ensure that their products are included in an authorised return system. From 1 January 2024, environmental fines of SEK 30,000 (about 2665€)

will be imposed if manufacturers fail to comply with this obligation.

Which products are affected?

The deposit system affects a wide range of beverages, including soft drinks, juices, water, energy drinks, beer, wine and more. Products that are not intended for direct consumption are not covered by this regulation. Beverage containers with a capacity of 3 litres or more are also exempt.

Enforcement fees and labelling of products 

Manufacturers of plastic bottles and metal cans pay annual enforcement fees to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. The fees vary depending on the number of containers placed on the market.  

Product labelling is an essential part of the return system. Sellers must ensure that the packaging is labelled accordingly.  

This marking indicates that the product can be returned and provides information about the deposit. If you want to sell products without printed deposit labelling, you can contact your return system for support and further information. 

The new regulations are crucial to encourage the take-back and recycling of plastic bottles and metal cans and minimise the environmental impact. Manufacturers and sellers should prepare for these changes in good time to avoid penalties.

Digital product passport for sustainable products  

The introduction of a digital product passport is a legal change that will initially be mandatory for batteries from 2026 with the new Ecodesign Directive. This regulation is intended to oblige manufacturers to produce products in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly way. In addition to the introduction of the digital product passport, the regulation imposes further obligations on manufacturers.

In this article, you will learn how the Digital Product Passport is shaping the future of sustainable products. We look at the obligations that manufacturers have to fulfil, the expected launch date and the benefits it brings for everyone involved along the supply chain.

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

DR Deutsche Recycling Service GmbH
Bonner Straße 484 – 486
50968 Cologne,

Germany

Phone +49 221 80033210
Fax +49 221 80033229
info@deutsche-recycling.de

www.deutsche-recycling.com