PPWR AtlasCountries › Germany

🇩🇪 Germany: PPWR Packaging EPR and Deposit Return

How Regulation (EU) 2025/40 (PPWR) applies in Germany: the national extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme, small-producer thresholds, eco-modulation, and deposit return system status. PPWR is directly applicable in Germany from August 12, 2026.

EPR scheme

Multiple PROs via LUCID registry (Landbell, Interzero/Interseroh, ALBA/Zentek, Grüner Punkt/DSD, Reclay). Competitive market, brands should request multiple quotes annually.

Small-producer threshold

≤80,000 packaging units AND ≤200 kg/year. Both thresholds must be met for exemption.

Eco-modulation

The VerpackG design-incentive duty (fees favoring recyclable formats) carries into the new Verpackungsdurchführungsgesetz (VerpackDG), promulgated in BGBl I 2026 Nr. 207 on July 17, 2026 and in force August 12, 2026 [LOCKED]. PPWR recyclability and material-composition criteria are not yet folded into the national eco-modulation or completeness-audit obligation; harmonized grade-based modulation follows the PPWR Art. 6(4) design-for-recycling act (ACT-02) and the Art. 6(5) implementing acts, binding 18 months after the later of the two, so around mid-2031 [SIGNALED].

Deposit return system

DRS Active
€0.25 per container
Single-use PET bottles and aluminum cans. Milk cartons, wine, spirits exempt.
DPG Deutsche Pfandsystem GmbH
Active since 2003 (reformed 2022)

Watch points

Declaration of Completeness (Vollständigkeitserklärung) required above certain tonnages. File with ZSVR (verpackungsregister.org).

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