Tracker · Germany
Packaging Regulation in Germany
Every packaging rule in Germany that we have sourced so far: EPR, taxes, bans, recycled-content and reuse targets, labelling and deposit return, with dates, rates and the official text.
In short
As of 13 October 2026
As of 13 October 2026, Strategic Packaging Insights tracks 2 packaging rules in Germany: 2 in force and 0 adopted but not yet applying. Extended producer responsibility for packaging is in force (Germany Packaging Law Implementation Act (VerpackDG) replaces VerpackG).
Key facts
Packaging rules in Germany at a glance
- Latest change: Germany Packaging Law Implementation Act (VerpackDG) replaces VerpackG (Bundestag / Federal Government of Germany, 13 July 2026).
In force now in Germany
EPR (2)
Germany Packaging Law Implementation Act (VerpackDG) replaces VerpackG
SPI summary The VerpackDG adapts German packaging law to the PPWR and replaces the Packaging Act (VerpackG). Producers selling packaged goods in Germany must register in the LUCID packaging register and finance recycling through system participation.
From the source “Gesetz zur Anpassung des Verpackungsrechts und anderer Rechtsbereiche an die Verordnung (EU) 2025/40”
Materials: All packaging
Bundestag / Federal Government of Germany · Applies from 12 Aug 2026 · Bundesgesetzblatt: BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 207
Source consulted 13 Oct 2026 · Verified by the SPI team on 13 Oct 2026 · History (2)
- Verified
- Added
EPRIn forceEnactedVerifiedGermany Single-Use Plastics Fund Act (EWKFondsG)
SPI summary Producers of certain single-use plastic products, including to-go food containers, beverage containers and cups, bag and foil packaging, lightweight carrier bags, tobacco filters and balloons, pay an annual single-use plastics levy into a federal fund managed by the Umweltbundesamt via the DIVID platform. The first payment was due in spring 2025.
From the source “Wer die Tätigkeit bereits vor dem 1. Januar 2024 aufgenommen hat, muss sich bis zum 31. Dezember 2024 registrieren.”
Materials: Single-use plastic
Bundestag / Umweltbundesamt · Applies from 1 Jan 2024 · Umweltbundesamt: press release 45/2023
Source consulted 13 Oct 2026 · History (3)
- Changed: SPI summary, rate note
- Verified
- Added
EPRIn forceEnactedSourced
Timeline of packaging rules in Germany
| Adopted | Rule | Type | Status | Applies from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 Jul 2026 | Germany Packaging Law Implementation Act (VerpackDG) replaces VerpackG | EPR | In force | 12 Aug 2026 |
| 15 May 2023 | Germany Single-Use Plastics Fund Act (EWKFondsG) | EPR | In force | 1 Jan 2024 |
How Germany compares
| Jurisdiction | Rules | In force | EPR | Taxes | Bans | Next deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 2 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| Austria | 1 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| Brazil | 1 | 1 | Yes | 0 | 0 | — |
| Canada | 6 | 6 | Yes | 0 | 2 | — |
| Chile | 1 | 1 | Yes | 0 | 0 | — |
| China | 3 | 3 | — | 0 | 1 | — |
| Colombia | 2 | 2 | Yes | 0 | 1 | — |
| European Union | 18 | 6 | — | 1 | 1 | 12 Aug 2028 |
| France | 3 | 3 | — | 0 | 1 | — |
| Germany | 2 | 2 | Yes | 0 | 0 | — |
| India | 4 | 4 | Yes | 0 | 1 | — |
| Indonesia | 1 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| Ireland | 1 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| Japan | 2 | 2 | Yes | 0 | 0 | — |
| Kenya | 2 | 2 | Yes | 0 | 1 | — |
| New Zealand | 2 | 1 | — | 0 | 1 | — |
| Philippines | 1 | 1 | Yes | 0 | 0 | — |
| Poland | 1 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| Portugal | 1 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| South Africa | 1 | 1 | Yes | 0 | 0 | — |
| Spain | 2 | 2 | — | 1 | 0 | — |
| United Arab Emirates | 1 | 1 | — | 0 | 1 | — |
| United Kingdom | 7 | 5 | Yes | 1 | 2 | 1 Oct 2027 |
| United States | 13 | 11 | Yes | 0 | 3 | — |
| Vietnam | 1 | 1 | Yes | 0 | 0 | — |
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About the SPI Regulation Tracker
- Purpose
- To show packaging teams which rules on packaging and packaging waste apply where, from when, and at what rate, with the official text one click away.
- Coverage
- 79 rules in 25 jurisdictions: extended producer responsibility, packaging taxes, bans, recycled-content and reuse targets, labelling, deposit return, design and reporting rules. Coverage is growing and is not complete for any jurisdiction.
- Data sources
- Official journals and gazettes, legislatures, ministries, regulators and the bodies that run each scheme. Each rule names its source, links to it and quotes it.
- SPI Methodology
- An analyst finds the rule in its source, records the facts (authority, dates, rate, materials) and copies a short quote. The SPI summary and SPI note are our reading of the source and are labelled. A second SPI team member then re-checks the rule against the source; it is then marked Verified. Any later change to the facts sends it back to Sourced and is logged in its history.
- Limitations
- Not legal advice. 33 of 79 rules have had a second check so far. Rates and dates can change after the date a source was consulted, and secondary legislation, guidance and local rules may not be listed. Always rely on the official text.
- Access
- Free to read and to download as CSV, with weekly change alerts by e-mail. For a mapping of the rules to your own products and markets, request a briefing.
- Corrections
- Found an error or a missing rule? Write to sales@strategicpackaginginsights.com with the rule ID and the source. Corrections are logged in the rule history.
Questions
Does Germany have packaging EPR?
Yes. In force: Germany Packaging Law Implementation Act (VerpackDG) replaces VerpackG and Germany Single-Use Plastics Fund Act (EWKFondsG). Each rule is listed on this page with its authority, dates and official source.
Is there a packaging tax in Germany?
We have not yet recorded a packaging tax or levy in force in Germany as of 13 October 2026.
What are the rows in this tracker based on?
Each rule links to the source it was taken from, usually the legal text in an official journal or gazette or the page of the ministry, regulator or agency that runs it, with a short quote from that source. 33 of the 79 rules have also been re-checked against the source by a second SPI team member and are marked Verified; the others are marked Sourced. Always confirm against the linked text before relying on a rule.
What is the difference between the source quote and the SPI summary?
The quote is copied from the official source. The SPI summary and any SPI note are our own reading of it, written in plain language, and are labelled as such.
What do the statuses mean?
Enacted rules are law: in force (applies now), adopted (passed, but obligations start later), expired or withdrawn. Proposed rules are formal proposals or drafts that are not yet law.
Is this legal advice?
No. The tracker summarises official texts so you can see what applies and when. Always check the linked legal text, or ask us for a compliance briefing for your products and markets.
How current is a row, and what changed?
Each rule shows the date its source was consulted and a history of every change made to it since it was added. Rules are added and changed as the SPI team finds them, and a weekly source check re-opens the sources behind open points such as pending implementing acts, court cases and fee announcements.
Ask the SPI team
Which rules apply to your packs?
Tell us your products, materials and markets. An analyst maps the obligations, fees and deadlines that apply, with every source.
Prefer email? Write to sales@strategicpackaginginsights.com.
- Q1
Which packaging rules apply to us in each market we sell in?
We map each market's EPR, tax, ban, recycled-content, labelling and deposit rules against your materials and formats, and show which are in force, adopted or only proposed.
- Q2
What could EPR fees and plastic taxes cost us next year?
We apply published fee tables and tax rates to your tonnages and recycled content, and show the result as scenarios with every rate sourced.
- Q3
Can you tell us when a rule changes?
Yes. The free tracker alerts cover rule changes by country; a monitoring retainer adds monthly notes on what the changes mean for your portfolio.