Sprache: DE
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The recent amendments to Portuguese waste legislation under Decreto-Lei n.º 24/2024 extend Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to new product categories such as furniture and mattresses and introduce mandatory measures for non-reusable and reusable packaging. Additionally, reporting obligations, labeling requirements, and an ecological fee modulation will be implemented in stages until 2026.
The Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988, which comes into effect on December 13, 2024, introduces extensive new requirements for the safety of non-food consumer goods in the EU.
Our Full-EPR-Service in the USA provides comprehensive support for companies selling packaged electronic products, ensuring they meet all local recycling and disposal regulations efficiently and legally. With our service, companies can navigate the complexities of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) without worry, staying compliant and avoiding penalties while focusing on their core business.
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG) in Germany requires precise registration of lamps and luminaires, as misregistrations can lead to significantly higher disposal costs for companies. It is crucial for businesses to correctly categorize their products to avoid unnecessary financial burdens and ensure compliance with regulations.
The new deposit system in Austria, effective January 2025, requires producers of single-use beverage packaging to register their products, ensure proper labeling with a deposit logo, and comply with legal requirements to facilitate recycling. Companies must pay a 25-cent deposit per package and manage the collection and return process, with strict penalties for non-compliance.
The Single-Use Plastics Fund Act aims to reduce environmental pollution from single-use plastics and requires companies that place such products on the market to register in the DIVID portal and contribute to disposal and cleanup costs. Affected products include food and beverage containers, lightweight plastic carrier bags, wet wipes, balloons, and tobacco products with filters; the DIVID portal provides a central, user-friendly platform for managing these obligations, similar to the LUCID portal for packaging.
Starting January 1, 2025, producers of industrial and commercial packaging in France must take responsibility for the take-back and recycling of their packaging under the new law "Article L541-10-1" for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Companies must adjust their processes and can rely on specialized waste management companies or implement their own recycling programs to comply with the new legal requirements.
Currently, packaging labeling in Spain is based on voluntary guidelines that may include material information and symbols for reusability and deposit systems. Starting in January 2025, mandatory labeling will be introduced according to "Royal Decree 1055/2022," requiring packaging to be clearly marked with pictograms to ensure better waste separation and recycling rates.
The new Batterierecht-Durchführungsgesetz (BattDG), set to be passed in Germany in August 2024, extends manufacturer responsibility to additional types of batteries and enhances return options for consumers. It aims to strengthen the circular economy, increase the number of collection points, and improve fire safety.
The new EU Packaging Regulation, also known as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), will become mandatory across all EU member states and demands that manufacturers, importers, and distributors take comprehensive responsibility for their packaging, including registration duties and extended obligations for disposal and recycling. Additionally, from 2030, all packaging must meet recyclability requirements, necessitating specific labels for material composition and reusability to enhance the efficiency of recycling processes.
Researchers at Empa have devised a method to convert spent grain, a by-product of the brewing process, into high-quality nanocellulose for sustainable packaging materials. This innovation presents an eco-friendly alternative to traditional packaging materials and could offer significant economic benefits for businesses.
The EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) aims to make the packaging industry more sustainable but faces significant resistance, especially from Germany and Italy, due to economic, political, and technological concerns. Despite the challenges, the PPWR also presents opportunities for companies through investments in sustainable packaging materials, optimization of recycling designs, and efficient production processes, supported by a wide range of proponents including the European Commission and environmental organizations.
From 1 April 2024, companies in Denmark that fall under producer responsibility for packaging must register and report their expected packaging volumes in order to increase recycling rates and reduce environmental impacts. The reporting obligation includes a detailed breakdown by material and an indication of the type of disposal, while simplified reporting procedures exist for the year 2024 for companies with less than 8 tonnes of packaging material and reusable packaging does not have to be reported until July 2025.
In Wisconsin, Senate Bill 866 revises the existing "E-Cycle Wisconsin" electronics law, making changes based on recommendations from the Department of Conservation and Resources. Key changes include a new method for setting annual recycling goals for electronics manufacturers, an expanded definition of "peripheral equipment" and an increase in registration fees for manufacturers beginning in March 2025.
The EU plans to replace the existing Ecodesign Directive 2009/125/EC with the Ecodesign Regulation for Sustainable Products (ESPR) to achieve stronger standardization and stricter implementation of environmental standards in member states. The new regulation aims to improve the recyclability, energy efficiency, and environmental compatibility of products, introducing comprehensive requirements such as product lifespan, repairability, and a digital product passport to promote transparency and sustainability in the EU market.
In France, the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) sector for furniture has been expanded to include textile decorations, covering items such as decorative rugs, curtains, small decorative textile products, and more. By January 1st, 2026, disposal costs per item must be specified on sales invoices, and the Triman logo must be affixed to all products/packaging by August 2024, with certain transition periods for older products.
The French Decree 2022-748, adopted under the "Anti-Waste for a Circular Economy Law (AGEC)", introduces new recycling requirements for businesses. The aim is to enable consumers in France to make informed decisions and to encourage companies to act more responsibly regarding recyclability.
Since July 1, 2023, Hungary has implemented expanded Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations that affect both local manufacturers and companies introducing certain products from abroad into the Hungarian market for the first time. Additionally, foreign webshops selling environmentally taxable products to Hungarian end consumers must comply with the Hungarian eco-tax law, register with the tax authority, pay taxes, and maintain appropriate records.
Various economic groups in Switzerland are planning a nationwide recycling system for plastic packaging and beverage cartons and have signed a letter of intent to this effect. The "Collection 2025" project aims for environmentally friendly reuse, with an umbrella organization coordinating the implementation and setting ambitious recycling goals by 2030. A standardized collection bag and transparent financing and recycling processes are intended to make the system efficient.
The EU has taken action to reduce pollution from single-use plastic and promote sustainable alternatives. The measures relate to the 10 most common single-use plastic products found on Europe's beaches, which together with fishing gear account for 70% of all marine litter in the EU. The EU Directive on Single-Use Plastic (Directive (EU) 2019/904) sets out different measures for different products, including market restrictions, design requirements and labelling requirements.
From 2024, the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging is set to come into force in the UK, reforming previous regulations. These changes include stronger financial incentives for recyclable packaging, stricter reporting requirements and the introduction of recycling labels from 2026. Companies should prepare for more complex data requirements and potentially higher costs, especially if they use packaging that is difficult to recycle.
The European Commission has proposed rules to make textile manufacturers accountable for the life cycle of their products, in line with the Green Deal and the revised EU Waste Framework Directive by 2025. The aim is to promote the collection, reuse and recycling of textiles.
Denmark has introduced regulations regarding single-use plastic and packaging in line with EU directives.
The highest administrative court in France has invalidated a 2020 decree by the Ministry of the Environment that classified the Green Dot as a confusing symbol for waste separation.
From July 31 or October 2023, France's "Loi AGEC" law requires marketers/producers to submit a "Waste Prevention and Eco-Design Plan". This plan must be updated every five years and should include details about waste reduction, raw materials origin, use of recycled material, and recyclability. It applies to any manufacturer, importer, or seller affected by an EPR sector in France. Non-compliance, including plan submission delays, can lead to penalties.
From 2025, Spain is extending extended producer responsibility (EPR) to B2B packaging. Ecoembes, Spain's household packaging take-back system, is planning a new EPR system to meet the requirements and provide a holistic solution. Royal Decree 1055/2022 obligates companies to dispose of and finance waste management for their packaging introduced to the market.
France will implement labeling requirements for sports and leisure articles starting from April 28, 2024. This labeling, known as "Infotri," consists of the Triman logo and sorting instructions. The Infotri must be affixed to sports and leisure articles that are placed on the market in France.
The Dutch textile EPR regulation, which becomes legally binding on July 1, 2023, requires manufacturers and importers of clothing and home textiles in the Netherlands to be responsible for the waste disposal of their products.
Innovations in packaging law in Finland and first info on single-use plastic.
The Spanish government amended environmental legislation by mandating the appointment of an authorized representative (AR) for packaging. The amendment is based on the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
The authorized representative assumes all obligations of the foreign importer. The new regulations affect foreign companies operating in Spain and importing packaged goods, increasing their responsibility, costs and administrative burden. Stay informed with us or engage us in our full-service to find the AR that suits your needs.
Austria introduced the authorized representative for packaging to increase transparency and responsibility in the packaging waste sector. Foreign manufacturers and distributors must appoint a person or company based in Austria to fulfill legal obligations related to the packaging regulation. Affected companies should appoint a suitable representative to comply with the requirements since January 1, 2023. Stay informed with My Compliance or commission us for full service; we will find the right authorized representative for you.
The Market Surveillance Regulation aims to ensure free and safe trade within the EU and requires online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay to monitor compliance with EPR registration numbers for WEEE, batteries, and packaging. Non-compliance can lead to account suspension. To avoid sanctions, online retailers should apply for and provide necessary registration numbers in a timely manner. Stay informed with My Compliance or hire us for full-service assistance, and we will register your company promptly.
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