The German Federal Government has adopted the draft of the new Packaging Law Implementation Act (VerpackDG). With the cabinet decision, the EU notification procedure has now been initiated.

The VerpackDG is intended to replace the current VerpackG and transpose the EU Packaging Regulation, which will apply from 2026, into German law. The revision aims to further strengthen waste prevention and high‑quality recycling. Among other measures, it introduces a mandatory approval requirement for all producers and extended producer responsibility organizations, binding measures for packaging reduction, and higher recycling quotas for plastics, aluminum, and ferrous metals starting in 2028. At the same time, it recognizes chemical recycling for the first time as a complementary recycling option that can contribute to meeting statutory quotas.

While the law obliges the dual systems to finance the collection and recovery of packaging waste, it no longer includes, unlike the initial draft, a separate obligation to clean public spaces. The previously discussed idea of establishing a central “organization for preventive measures” has been dropped in the current draft. Largely due to objections from industry, additional financial burdens in this area were not introduced.

Further information can be found here.