The new Packaging Act (VerpackG) is aimed at encouraging product manufacturers to take more responsibility and generally make a bigger contribution to the reuse, recycling or avoidance of packaging materials. For this purpose, the Central Agency Packaging Register (Zentrale Stelle Verpackungsregister, ZSVR) was created, which has been tasked with the legal implementation of the Packaging Act. The Central Agency Packaging Register takes care of the following tasks: registration of those responsible for products on request, receipt of data reports on packaging quantities, publication of data in a public register, monitoring of registered manufacturers, calculation of market share and verification of (dual systems’) volume flow records, definition of a minimum standard for measuring the recyclability of packaging, etc.
Who is affected by the Packaging Act and who must register?
The new Packaging Act applies to all commercial Swiss exporters who supply packaged goods to private consumers or equivalent bodies (such as gastronomy, hotels or administration) in Germany for the first time. It is important to note that this not only refers to manufacturers, but above all to the initial distributors who supply products and their packaging to Germany for the first time – these can also be dealers and/or importers. Registration with the Central Agency Packaging Register is free of charge for manufacturers. Within the registration process, affected companies are told that they must also fulfill their obligation to participate in one or more dual systems in Germany. This is the only way to fully complete registration.
From July 1, 2022, obligatory registration in the LUCID packaging register applies to all types of packaging. Packaged goods may no longer be distributed after this date if the manufacturer has not complied with this obligation.
It is not a new requirement that merchants who sell goods via online shops in Germany have to be registered in the packaging register. Electronic marketplaces may only offer goods from merchants and sellers on their platforms if these parties are registered in the LUCID packaging register and fulfill their system participation obligations. What is new, however, is that the operators of online shops and/or sales platforms must check whether the packaging of the goods offered is also registered. The same applies to fulfillment partners - they must also check that all packaging is registered.
What counts as packaging and must be registered?
To register in the LUCID Packaging Register, obligated companies must register with their master data and the trademarks they are placing on the market. Companies are obliged when they use any packaging that typically ends up in a private consumer’s trash after use. In addition to classic packaging such as closures, labels and air cushions, this includes all sales, outer and service packaging as well as shipping packaging with filling materials. The Act does not apply to reusable packaging that is subject to a deposit.
Since January 1, 2022, all disposable plastic beverage bottles are subject to a deposit. A deposit of 25 cents is generally charged on non-returnable beverage bottles of beer, mineral water, soft drinks and mixed drinks containing alcohol.
What's more, packaging that accumulates at take-aways, for example, must now also be registered as service packaging. This also applies to plastic bags, coffee-to-go cups, etc.
You can find short explanatory videos that will explain the rules simply to you here.
From 2023, caterers, delivery services and restaurants will be obliged to offer reusable containers for takeaway food and beverages in addition to disposable ones.
From 2025, non-refillable PET beverage bottles must contain a recycled plastic content of at least 25%. From 2030, this quota will be increased to at least 30%.
If you are unsure whether you need to register your company with the Central Agency in the LUCID Packaging Register, you should first check whether you are placing packaging on the market that is subject to participation in the system. This information can be found in the System Participation Obligation catalog – an overview of various product groups with case studies. Should you have any further questions in this regard, there is also the possibility to clarify a packaging’s system participation obligation by submitting an application to the National Authority.
What information do I need to register?
The following registration and master data is required in order to be included in the Central Agency Packaging Register’s database:
- Manufacturer's name and address
- European or national tax number (UST-ID, if available, otherwise tax number)
- The trademark under which the packaging is marketed (under the Packaging Act, the ZSVR must publish this information)
- Manufacturer’s contact details (telephone, fax, email address) – (under the Packaging Act, the ZSVR must publish this information)
- Indication of a responsible person/supplementary processor if applicable
- National identification number (commercial register number if available, alternatively trade license number)
- Declaration regarding system participation or on participation in a so-called branch solution
- Declaration that the request was not made by an authorized third party
- Declaration that the information provided is true and correct
The Central Agency Packaging Register is obliged to publish the trademark, contact details, registration number and date in the database.
