The EU Packaging Regulation has been in effect since August 12, 2026—and the Packaging Act (VerpackDG) took effect on the same day.

From a Complex Law to an Understandable Solution

Companies are facing new obligations regarding packaging take-back, licensing and documentation requirements, and reporting requirements.  RIGK
explains the legal requirements in an easy-to-understand way—and supports you in implementing them.

All the details about the law

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VerpackDG & PPWR

Two Laws, One Deadline

As of August 12, 2026, two closely related sets of regulations are in effect simultaneously.
Both apply to your company—even if you do not supply residential customers.

EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR)

In effect since February 2025, it will apply directly in all EU member states as of August 12, 2026—without the need for national implementing legislation. Among other things, it establishes uniform Europe-wide regulations governing recyclability, labeling, recycled content requirements, prohibited packaging formats, and requirements under extended producer responsibility.

Packaging Law Implementation Act (VerpackDG)

The VerpackDG is the German law implementing the new European packaging requirements set forth in the PPWR into national law. It builds on established structures such as LUCID, the dual systems, and the deposit system, while significantly expanding the regulatory requirements for obligated companies. It entered into force on August 12.

Those who clarify matters now will reduce effort and risks later on.

Which industries and What types of businesses are affected?

If your company places packaging and packaged products on the market, fills them, or distributes them in Germany for the first time—you are affected. This also applies if you supply exclusively to other companies (B2B). The following overview shows which types of companies are covered by the Packaging Law Implementation Act. For some, these regulatory requirements are entirely new.

Manufacturers & Producers
Bottlers & Packagers
Importers
Agriculture
Dealers & Distributors
Industrial Companies
Online Retailers & Marketplaces
Business & Services

This regulation applies to any company in Germany that places packaging and packaged products from the B2B sector on the market for the first time on a commercial basis—that is, fills, manufactures, imports, or distributes them. There are no exceptions based on company size or revenue.

Who is affected: in detail

I'm affected. Now what?

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Are your packaging processes prepared for upcoming requirements?

What must manufacturers and retailers and what should distributors do?

The new Packaging Act introduces four key changes that will directly impact day-to-day business operations. The sooner you begin implementing them, the less effort it will require.

Registration and Licensing Requirements
Extended Producer Responsibility (B2B)
Higher Recycling Rates
Labeling & Recyclability

Rule of thumb

The EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) will establish a uniform, Europe-wide legal framework for packaging effective August 12, 2026. It sets forth key requirements such as recyclability, labeling, recycled content, and certain prohibited packaging formats. At the same time, it strengthens extended producer responsibility: Companies must take responsibility for the take-back and disposal of their packaging—either through established systems or through independently organized solutions.

Requirements, Deadlines, and Obligations

What Companies Should Do Now

Assess Your Impact

Get an overview of your own legal obligations and determine which requirements must be met in the future under the new Packaging Act (VerpackDG).

Analysis of Our Own Packaging Portfolio

What types, quantities, and weights of packaging are placed on the market in the industrial/commercial sector in Germany?

Clarify internal responsibilities

Sales, Purchasing, Logistics, and Sustainability must work in a coordinated manner. Who is responsible within the company?

Compliance with Legal Obligations

Implement take-back and recycling obligations, prepare for proof and documentation requirements, draft a declaration of conformity, and, if necessary, appoint an EU authorized representative.

Benefit from experience; gain legal certainty.

RIGK guides you from the initial assessment to a practical take-back solution—clear, industry-specific, and operational.

Our 5 steps in detail

Ready to turn packaging compliance into a strength?

Many companies view the new Packaging Act as a burden. Smart companies, however
, see it as an opportunity—for improved processes, more credible sustainability communication, and competitive advantages.

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Our solution.

Legal Certainty With RIGK, success is guaranteed

RIGK helps companies understand the requirements related to packaging take-back, packaging compliance, and the circular economy early on and implement them in a practical manner.

Anyone who wants to reliably support companies with packaging take-back must not only know the industry’s requirements but also master them in day-to-day operations. For over 30 years, RIGK has been an authorized system operator for commercial, industrial, and agricultural packaging—by the industry, for the industry.

This means: staying close to the actual needs of distributors, drawing on operational experience rather than a purely consultative perspective. RIGK provides take-back, recycling, certification, and documentation all from a single source and remains a reliable partner, even as laws and regulatory conditions change.

RIGK is not focused on maximizing profits, but rather on providing sustainable, practical, and legally compliant solutions for businesses. We’ll continue to stand by your side reliably even under the new circumstances and keep you up to date at all times.

Initial Assessment
Webinars & Knowledge Transfer
Take-Back Solutions (B2B)
Ongoing Support
EU Network
Documentation & Reporting
Packaging Compliance Check
Based on Industry Experience

Operating throughout Europe?

Are you also active in other EU countries? PACKLIANCE—founded by RIGK and partner systems—handles your extended producer responsibility (EPR) obligations throughout Europe.

Discover PACKLIANCE

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FAQ

The Most Important Questions Companies Are Asking Right Now

The Packaging Law Implementation Act (VerpackDG) is the national regulation implementing the European Packaging Regulation (PPWR) in Germany. The VerpackDG specifies the requirements of the PPWR and further develops existing packaging law.

For companies, this primarily means greater obligations in fulfilling their responsibilities. Issues such as packaging take-back, recycling, producer responsibility, authorization, and record-keeping are being formalized to a greater extent. This is particularly relevant for companies that place packaging on the market in the commercial or industrial sectors.

Anyone who fails to comply with legal obligations must expect significant consequences. Failure to register, participate, or obtain approval, or submission of incomplete documentation, may result in packaging or packaged products being deemed unmarketable.

Possible consequences include, among others:

Sales bans
Fines
Prohibition on making the product available on the market
Withdrawal or recall measures
Additional regulatory and economic risks

It is therefore crucial for companies to implement their legal obligations reliably—not only formally but also operationally.

For companies, August 12, 2026, is a particularly important deadline. By that date, roles, types of packaging, responsibilities, and internal processes should have been clearly reviewed and documented.

Anyone placing packaging on the market in Germany should ensure well in advance that all relevant requirements regarding compliance, organization, documentation, and take-back are met on time. Delayed preparation can lead to operational and legal risks.

The Packaging Act (VerpackDG) primarily applies to packaging for which companies in Germany must fulfill take-back, recycling, and/or reporting obligations. These include, in particular:

packaging subject to mandatory participation in a recycling system
packaging not subject to mandatory participation in a recycling system
Retail packaging
Service packaging
Outer packaging
Transport packaging
Primary production packaging
Packaging for e-commerce
Disposable packaging
Reusable packaging

The Packaging Act (VerpackDG) is becoming significantly more relevant, particularly for companies whose packaging is not subject to mandatory participation in a recycling system.

RIGK handles all operational aspects of take-back, recycling, documentation, and reporting for B2B packaging. The company must complete the formal registration in the LUCID system on its own—RIGK provides support in this process. Certain obligations, such as the recyclability assessment of your packaging, must be initiated by the company; here, too, RIGK provides advice and guidance.

Possibly. The Packaging Act (VerpackDG) expands the scope of packaging categories subject to registration—particularly in the B2B sector. If you were previously registered only for B2C packaging, you’ll need to check whether any new categories have been added and update your registration accordingly.

Failure to register and failure to actively implement a take-back program for packaging materials can result in fines of up to €200,000 and immediate sales bans. In addition, there is a risk of reputational damage, as the lack of registration is visible in the public LUCID registry.

The cost of participating in the system depends on the type and quantity of packaging and packaged products placed on the market. RIGK will prepare a quote for you based on the information you provide and our licensing fees.

Violations of the Packaging Act (VerpackDG)—in particular, failure to register or noncompliance with EPR obligations—can result in fines of up to €200,000. In addition, there may be immediate sales bans as well as reputational damage resulting from public registries of unregistered companies.

Yes. The new Packaging Act (VerpackDG) does not include a provision for small quantities and makes no distinctions based on company size or revenue. Even small business owners and sole proprietors are subject to these obligations if they place packaging subject to the packaging system requirement on the market on a commercial basis.

Yes. Extended producer responsibility also applies to commercial, industrial, and agricultural packaging—regardless of whether private end consumers are involved. Anyone who places such packaging and packaged products on the market in Germany for the first time is subject to the legal obligations mentioned above.

Since the EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) and the German Packaging Act (VerpackDG) took effect on August 12, 2026, registration and participation in a recycling system must already be fully completed. Companies that have failed to do so must act immediately to avoid warnings and sales bans. If packaging redesigns are necessary due to new requirements (such as the ban on certain single-use formats), these projects must be implemented now with the highest priority, as such a process—including coordination with suppliers—typically takes 12 to 18 months.

In principle, all packaging and packaged products placed on the market in Germany:

packaging subject to mandatory participation in a recycling system
packaging not subject to the system
Retail packaging
Service packaging
Outer packaging
Transport packaging
Primary production packaging
Packaging for e-commerce
Disposable packaging
Reusable packaging

A new development is that packaging that was not previously subject to mandatory participation in a recycling system may now fall within the scope of the regulation.

Administrative offenses, fines, and operational risks—such as those resulting from missing permits or incomplete supporting documentation.  In addition, there is a risk of reputational damage, as recyclability and “greenwashing” claims are subject to stricter scrutiny.

Yes. Online retailers place packaging on the market through their shipping materials and are subject to the same obligations as brick-and-mortar retailers. This also applies to retailers on marketplaces such as Amazon or eBay, provided they ship the goods themselves. Fulfillment service providers may also be affected under certain conditions.

No match found!

Clarify things before it becomes mandatory

RIGK guides you from the initial assessment all the way to a practical take-back solution—with no obligation, tailored to your industry, and focused on your specific needs.

No one-size-fits-all answers—a customized assessment of your situation
Decades of experience with B2B take-back systems
Support even as legislation continues to change

* Note: The information provided on this landing page offers an initial overview of the European Packaging Regulation (PPWR) and the national implementing law in Germany, the Packaging Law Implementation Act (VerpackDG). It is intended to provide guidance on the key obligations, responsibilities, and the solutions offered by RIGK. The content is not exhaustive and does not replace an individual assessment of a specific case or legal advice.