VerpackDG: Federal Government presents comprehensive draft
The Federal Government has presented a draft for a new packaging law that would fully replace the existing Packaging Act (VerpackG). The move follows the EU Packaging Regulation, which takes effect in August 2026. To ensure a seamless interaction between national and European rules, the proposed Packaging Law Implementation Act (VerpackDG) is intended to modernise and harmonise Germany’s current system.
The draft bill, published on 17 November 2025, substantially strengthens producer responsibility. Companies that place packaging on the market will be required to do more to prevent packaging waste, to collect it, and to ensure high-quality recycling. The changes include new financial contributions, formal approval requirements and more ambitious recycling targets. Industry outlets are already describing the reform as the most comprehensive overhaul of German packaging law in more than 30 years.
Financial contributions for waste prevention
From now on, dual systems, industry schemes, other producer responsibility organisations and manufacturers not represented by such organisations will have to pay a joint contribution of €5 per tonne of packaging they place on the market. The collected funds will support measures such as reusable systems, refill models, waste-prevention initiatives and projects that strengthen the circular economy. According to Euwid, this will mean additional annual costs of roughly €89.6 million for businesses.
New approval requirements for manufacturers and EPR organisations
Organisations that assume extended producer responsibility on behalf of multiple manufacturers, as well as manufacturers without such representation, will in the future require official approval. The responsible authority will be the Central Agency Packaging Register (ZSVR), which will in turn be co-financed by these actors going forward. The aim is to increase transparency, enhance oversight and ensure a more reliable waste management system.
Higher recycling targets
The draft raises recycling targets significantly. 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 aim is to increase the share of packaging material that is actually recycled and to reduce thermal recovery.
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, after which it will proceed to parliamentary proceedings in the Bundestag and Bundesrat. Observers consider the proposed timeline ambitious.
What this means for distributors and producers
For companies, the VerpackDG will likely bring:
new financial obligations,
stricter requirements across the supply chain,
potential approval obligations,
a generally expanded scope of producer responsibility.
The reform represents a major step toward strengthening Germany’s circular economy and implementing EU requirements effectively.
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.
