Manufacturers of certain single-use plastic products have been required to participate in the Single-Use Plastic Fund of the German Environment Agency since early 2025. Many companies are now uncertain whether they still need to license their plastic packaging with the dual systems if they are already paying the single-use plastic levy.

The Zentrale Stelle Verpackungsregister (ZSVR) provides a clear answer: The obligation to license packaging with the dual systems remains in place. The ZSVR has clarified that the single-use plastic levy and system participation are two separate legal obligations. Offsetting or crediting one against the other is not permitted. While system participation under the Packaging Act (VerpackG) serves to finance recycling, the single-use plastic levy covers the proportional costs of public waste disposal and cleaning.

Violations of these regulations may result in legal consequences. 

For more information, please visit the LUCID packaging register or contact the ZSVR directly.