The new EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) creates additional hurdles for businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It can make shipping to other EU countries more difficult and costly. Many associations and retailers are therefore calling for simpler, uniform and proportionate rules, as well as exemptions for SMEs.

High-voltage batteries involved in accidents present garages with new legal and financial challenges regarding storage, transport and cost allocation. A new practical guide from the BIV explains who bears the costs and how garages can organise the legally required take-back process in a legally compliant manner.

JD.com's planned takeover of Ceconomy is emerging as a key test of the EU's stance on Chinese companies and state support. As the European Commission reviews the deal, cooperation from China is becoming harder to secure.

The new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is raising questions in the timber trade, particularly about order picking and possible new obligations. The German Timber Trade Federation is calling for clear guidance and greater legal certainty.

The USA is introducing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging in several states. Companies will need to register, report packaging data and help fund recycling. However, fees, material categories and reporting rules are still being developed.

The new Battery Regulation makes registration of energy storage systems mandatory. As a result, a simple check of the battery register can quickly reveal whether a product is being marketed legally in Germany, as a recent case from the online retail sector demonstrates.

Even durable carrier bags may be subject to dual-system participation under the German Packaging Law Implementation Act. What matters is not whether a bag may be reused, but its original purpose. For many retailers, this decision may entail additional disposal and licensing costs.

The EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) sets specific rules for classifying composite packaging. The European Commission has now clarified that adhesives, labels, paints, printing inks, varnishes and coatings are generally not counted as separate packaging materials.

Recent concerns suggest that retailers may assume manufacturer responsibilities when adding dispatch labels to standard packaging. The European Commission, however, has now clarified that adding a dispatch label does not, in fact, trigger manufacturer obligations.

From 12 August 2026, new labelling rules under the EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) apply. However, packaging already manufactured and in stock by this date does not need to be destroyed, changed or relabelled. The required information can instead be provided in accompanying documents. For packaging made after 12 August 2026, this is only allowed in certain…

The European Union has fined AliExpress 550 million euros for not doing enough to stop illegal and unsafe products from being sold on its platform. This record fine shows that online marketplaces must take more responsibility for product safety and better adhere to EU rules.

Europe is producing more wind and solar power than its electricity grids can handle. This causes clean energy to be wasted, low or negative electricity prices, and grid congestion. Battery storage can help by saving extra power and releasing it when demand is high. The EU is now making battery storage a key part of its energy strategy.

The new EU Packaging Regulation aims to make packaging more environmentally friendly and strengthen the circular economy. However, a lack of planning certainty, extensive reporting requirements and additional bureaucracy could make things difficult for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The EU is closely reviewing JD.com’s planned takeover of a major European electronics retailer. Germany has approved the deal with strict data rules, but the EU is checking whether Chinese state support could give JD.com an unfair advantage. A final decision is still pending.

The new German Packaging Law Implementation Act (VerpackDG) can take effect on 12 August 2026, alongside the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). The law will set German rules for responsibilities, registration, inspections and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

A new EU customs fee makes small orders from outside the EU more expensive. The goal is to reduce cheap imports and give European retailers a fairer chance. However, Temu, Shein and AliExpress may reduce the impact by changing how they ship goods.

Please note: From 12 August 2026, packaging must be covered by a declaration of conformity before the relevant goods or products can be imported into or placed on the EU market. The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) requires a separate declaration of conformity to be drawn up for packaging within its scope. This requirement applies not only…

The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) introduces new labelling and information requirements for packaging, which will be phased in across the European Union. These requirements are intended to make it easier for consumers to correctly sort packaging waste, promote the circular economy, and establish harmonised packaging labelling standards…

“With the application of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and the German Packaging Law Implementation Act (VerpackDG), the responsibilities relating to service packaging will change fundamentally. On the one hand, this will concern businesses that use this type of packaging and have their name, logo or brand printed on it. On the other…

“Under the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), packaging used for online sales or other means of distance selling is considered e-commerce packaging. E-commerce packaging is categorised as transport packaging. Online retailers need to clarify whether they will be considered manufacturers as from 12 August 2026 and thus (as has often been the…

The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) introduces new packaging requirements across Europe from 12 August 2026. In Germany, the current Packaging Act (VerpackG) will be replaced by the Packaging Law Implementation Act (VerpackDG), which will implement the PPWR at national level and set out the applicable sanctions and fines for…

Under the German Packaging Law Implementation Act (VerpackDG), registration and data reporting obligations cannot be delegated to third parties. However, Section 7 of the VerpackDG does not prohibit outsourcing the obligation to participate in a packaging scheme. As a result, this obligation may, in principle, be contractually assigned to a third party.