Temu, Shein and AliExpress now account for a record 5.3% of German online sales, growing much faster than the overall market. Low prices continue to attract shoppers, putting pressure on German retailers. To compete, local businesses will need to focus on quality, strong brands, service and trust.

Germany is preparing new textile rules that could make producers pay more for collection and recycling. With poor textile quality making recycling harder, companies will need to focus on durable, repairable and recyclable products. Early preparation could help businesses manage future costs and requirements.

With the gradual introduction of the Digital Product Passport (DPP) as a requirement, businesses that do not comply may face serious repercussions. Among the risks involved are sales bans, fines, product recalls, and considerable damage to one’s reputation. Thus, companies should stop postponing the development of their DPP strategy.

The countdown is on: starting in 2027, the Digital Battery Passport will be compulsory, posing a significant compliance challenge for numerous companies. Data that is incomplete or incorrect could put market access at risk, disturb supply chains, and weaken competitiveness. It is essential for producers and retailers to take action now, since market success…

In 2026, the right to repair will materialise, leading to a fundamental transformation of the duties of producers and retailers. New repairability requirements, longer warranty periods, stricter regulations on the availability of replacement parts, and the implementation of the Digital Product Passport will increase the pressure on product development,…

The ZSVR’s (German Central Agency Packaging Register) current interpretation of the term 'manufacturer' has sparked widespread criticism, particularly among small retailers. In the lead-up to 12 August 2026, possible revisions to the definition are being discussed with various stakeholders, including several retail associations. However, VERE issues a clear…

The introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for textiles is picking up the pace. The German Federal Ministry for the Environment is currently preparing a draft bill for the new Textiles Act, which is expected to be presented this summer. Although, according to the ministry, no final draft has yet been completed and many details remain…

A recent study highlights why the German Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG) requires fundamental reform. Despite rising volumes of electrical and electronic equipment being placed on the market, collection and recycling rates remain well below EU targets. The study outlines concrete solutions that could not only protect the environment and…

The success of packaging recycling depends less on the level of producer fees than on how intelligently they are structured. A new Circpack study shows which factors actually improve recycling rates in EU Member States and why transparency, data quality and targeted investments are crucial to achieving the PPWR targets.

With the new packaging law implementation act, the German Bundestag is providing important impulses for increased recycling and the use of recycled materials. Industry associations regard eco-modulation in particular as a major step forward but criticise unresolved issues regarding the implementation of the European Packaging Regulation and call for further…

Europe is sending a strong signal in the effort to reduce its dependence on critical raw materials. With the approval of the first industrial recycling plant for recovering rare-earth elements from end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment, a landmark project for the European circular economy is taking shape in Italy. For producers and retailers, the…

Millions of small electronic devices end up in household waste or disappear into drawers every year, with far-reaching consequences for recycling, product safety and the financing of waste management systems. On International E-Waste Day 2026, the WEEE Forum is drawing attention to this growing issue and making it clear that the pressure on manufacturers and…

For many retailers and producers that have previously managed their EPR obligations in France through Amazon, there may now be an urgent need to take action. According to current market reports, Amazon appears to be discontinuing its “Pay-on-Behalf” service in France. Affected companies should therefore review their existing solutions and arrange their own…

According to the information currently available to us, companies not based in France are affected if they sell packaged products directly to professional end-users in France. Companies based in France may also be affected in other cases, including when selling to distributors or importing packaged goods from other countries.

This article was updated on 4…

Companies that ship goods to Poland or place them on the Polish market for the first time should expect increased customs inspections starting on August 12, 2026. According to a Polish customs agency, BDO registration and the required proof of packaging compliance will be subject to more rigorous checks. For retailers, producers, and importers, these…

Ensure your packaging labels comply with current legal requirements and are prepared well in advance for upcoming regulations such as the PPWR and EmpCo.

The debate surrounding the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) continues. Following reports last week that German Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) intended to advocate postponing the application of key PPWR provisions, the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN)…

The German federal government has adopted a new Packaging Act that significantly tightens the rules for producers and retailers. Higher recycling targets, stricter material requirements and new financial incentives are intended to make packaging more recyclable. From 2028, a 75% recycling target will apply to plastic packaging, increasing to 80% from 2030.…

The European Union is taking a tougher stance on trade with China. Low-cost imports driven by industrial overcapacity are placing increasing pressure on European producers, while dependence on Chinese raw materials and supply chains has become a growing geopolitical concern. While Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is often criticised as little more than…

The programme includes a series of legislative reforms, e.g., a new national textiles law, a proposed ban on single-use electronic cigarettes, and amendments to the Circular Economy Act, Packaging Act and the Substitute Building Materials Ordinance. At the European and international levels, Germany is also playing an active role in negotiations on a new EU…

The debate surrounding the reform of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) under the EU Environment Omnibus Package continues, with significant differences emerging between the European Commission, the Council and the European Parliament. While the Member States have largely rejected the Commission's original proposal, positions within Parliament remain…