BMUKN publishes draft bill to amend the Packaging Act in line with Regulation (EU) 2025/40 (PPWR)

What does the PPWR mean for economic operators?

With the PPWR, which will apply from 12 August 2026 onwards, the EU legislator is introducing new requirements that packaging (filled/unfilled) must comply with to be marketable in the EU. The relevance of the PPWR for legally compliant distribution of goods can therefore hardly be overestimated, as almost every product is sold and delivered using packaging.

Why is the Packaging Act (VerpackG) being amended?

An amendment to the Packaging Act is necessary because some regulatory aspects of the PPWR require national clarification. This applies, for example, to the area of extended producer responsibility and to the sanctioning of legal violations against the PPWR.

What happens next?

The draft is currently being discussed within the federal government. Therefore, changes to the content of the draft are to be expected as the legislative process continues. Comments on the draft bill can be submitted until 5 December 2025, 11 p.m., via the following link. 

Since the PPWR will generally apply from 12 August 2026, the new Packaging Act should be passed around mid-2026. We will, of course, keep you informed of further developments.