Germany has officially taken another step towards implementing the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) by approving the Packaging Law Implementation Act (VerpackDG). The legislation establishes the national legal framework required to support the application of the PPWR and aligns Germany’s packaging legislation with the European Union’s evolving packaging regulations.
The German Federal Council (Bundesrat) approved the legislation on 11 July 2026, clearing the way for VerpackDG to replace the current Packaging Act (VerpackG). While the PPWR is directly applicable across all EU Member States from 12 August 2026, countries are required to adapt their national legislation to ensure effective enforcement, market surveillance, and administrative procedures.
What Is VerpackDG?
VerpackDG serves as Germany’s national implementation law for the PPWR. Rather than introducing an entirely new packaging framework, it updates existing national legislation to reflect the requirements of the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.
The law establishes how German authorities will oversee packaging compliance, producer obligations, market surveillance, and enforcement while ensuring consistency with the harmonised rules introduced under the PPWR.
What Changes Under the New Law?
One of the key objectives of VerpackDG is to support the transition towards a more circular packaging economy in Germany. The legislation strengthens the country’s existing packaging compliance framework while introducing provisions that align with the PPWR.
Among the notable developments are updated producer responsibility requirements, revised administrative procedures, and measures designed to support higher recycling performance. The legislation also provides the legal basis for implementing future PPWR requirements covering packaging design, recyclability, labelling, and other obligations as they become applicable across the European Union.
Germany has also confirmed more ambitious recycling targets for plastic packaging, reinforcing its long-standing focus on improving resource efficiency and reducing packaging waste.
How Does This Impact Businesses?
For businesses placing packaging on the German market, VerpackDG represents another important milestone in the transition towards the PPWR.
Although many existing compliance structures will remain familiar, organisations should be aware that Germany’s packaging legislation will now operate alongside the directly applicable PPWR. Businesses involved in manufacturing, importing, distributing, or supplying packaged products should continue monitoring regulatory developments as additional implementing acts and technical requirements are introduced.
As the PPWR implementation timeline progresses, VerpackDG provides greater clarity on how Germany intends to administer and enforce the new European packaging framework.
Final Thoughts
The approval of VerpackDG marks another significant development in Europe’s packaging regulatory landscape. By aligning national legislation with the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, Germany is laying the groundwork for the next phase of packaging compliance across the European Union.
As more PPWR requirements become applicable from August 2026 onwards, businesses should stay informed about both EU-wide regulations and country-specific implementation measures to ensure continued packaging compliance.
