VerpackDG: Federal Government presents comprehensive draft
The Federal Government has presented a draft for a new packaging law that is intended to fully replace the existing Packaging Act (VerpackG). The background is the entry into force of the EU Packaging Regulation in August 2026. To ensure that national and European requirements interact seamlessly in the future, the new Packaging Law Implementation Act (VerpackDG) aims to modernise and harmonise the established structures in Germany.
The draft bill published on 17 November 2025 outlines a significant strengthening of producer responsibility. Companies that place packaging on the market will in future be required to contribute more strongly to the prevention, collection and high-quality recycling of packaging waste. This includes new financial contributions, approval requirements and ambitious recycling rates. Industry media already describe the reform as the most extensive overhaul of German packaging law in more than 30 years.
Financial contributions to waste prevention
In future, dual systems, industry solutions, other producer responsibility organisations and manufacturers not represented by such organisations will be required to pay a contribution of five euros per tonne of packaging supplied to a joint organisation. The funds will support measures such as reusable systems, refill models, waste prevention and projects that strengthen the circular economy. According to Euwid, this will result in additional annual costs of around €89.6 million for businesses.
New approval requirements for manufacturers and EPR organisations
Organisations that take on extended producer responsibility for multiple manufacturers, as well as manufacturers without such representation, will in future require official approval. The responsible authority will be the Central Agency Packaging Register (ZSVR), which will also be co-financed by these actors going forward. The aim is to increase transparency, enhance oversight and ensure a more reliable waste management system.
Significantly higher recycling rates
The draft increases recycling rates noticeably. The following targets are planned:
95% for metals (aluminium and iron)
75% for plastics from 2028, with at least 70% to be mechanically recycled
The goal is to ensure that more packaging material is actually recycled and less is treated thermally.
Next steps in the legislative process
The consultation process with federal states and associations runs until 5 December 2025. The Federal Cabinet is expected to adopt the draft in the first quarter of 2026 before it enters parliamentary proceedings in the Bundestag and Bundesrat. Observers consider the timeline ambitious.
Implications for distributors and producers
For companies, the VerpackDG will likely result in:
new financial obligations,
stricter requirements along the supply chain,
possible approval requirements,
a generally expanded scope of producer responsibility.
The reform represents a major step toward strengthening the circular economy in Germany and effectively implementing EU requirements.
Would you like to know how the new packaging law will affect your company in practice? Feel free to contact our experts using the contact form.
