Plastic Tax Put on Hold by the German Coalition Government
Quick answer: Germany’s planned plastic packaging tax, the Plastiksteuer, is on hold. The federal cabinet was expected to approve the draft on Wednesday 14 October 2026, but the decision was postponed after resistance from CDU/CSU lawmakers. Union parliamentary group leader Thorsten Frei said the draft is not approvable in its current form. The tax has […]
What Is a PRO (Producer Responsibility Organisation)? A Simple Guide for Packaging
Quick answer: A PRO, or producer responsibility organisation, is an organisation that takes over packaging EPR duties for many producers. You pay it a fee based on the packaging you sell. It then funds the collection, sorting and recycling of that packaging, and often helps with reporting. Some countries have one PRO. In others, several […]
PPWR vs EPR: What Is the Difference?
Quick answer: PPWR is the EU packaging regulation. EPR, or extended producer responsibility, means producers pay for collecting and recycling the packaging they sell. PPWR builds on EPR, but each country still runs its own EPR scheme. In short, PPWR is the rulebook and EPR is how cost and reporting are handled.Key takeawaysThe EU packaging […]
EUDR Explained: What the Regulation Is About and Who Is Responsible
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is Regulation (EU) 2023/1115. It covers seven key commodities. You may only sell them in the EU, or export them, if they are deforestation-free and legally produced. They must also be covered by a due diligence statement. The rules start on 30 December 2026 for large and medium companies. Who […]
EPR Authorised Representative Rule: What the EU Parliament Committee Proposes for Small Businesses
On 5 October 2026, the EU Parliament’s environment committee (ENVI) voted to pause one EPR rule for small firms. The rule says a packaging producer in one EU country must name an authorised representative (AR) in each other EU country. This applies when it sells straight to end users there. ENVI wants to pause this […]
PFAS in the EU: From Packaging to Textiles (2026 Guide)
Key takeawaysThe EU restricts PFAS, known as “forever chemicals”, and other chemicals of concern one product group at a time, from food packaging to clothing, while a wider PFAS restriction is still being decided. Companies selling into the EU need supplier evidence and test results to prove compliance.Last updated: October 2026.What are PFAS?PFAS (per- and […]
Germany’s Plastic tax 2027: What the €550-per-Tonne Plastic Packaging Tax Means for Your Business
Quick answer: The Plastiksteuer is a planned German tax on plastic packaging: €550 for every tonne of plastic in packaging, proposed to start on 1 July 2027. The CDU/CSU and SPD parliamentary groups are advancing the draft Kunststoffverpackungssteuergesetz. The tax would arise when taxable packaging is manufactured, brought into Germany from other EU countries, or imported. […]
PPWR Compliance Software for Packaging Conformity and EPR Management
Packaging compliance brings together several kinds of work: understanding your obligations, collecting supplier evidence, assessing packaging, preparing declarations and managing Extended Producer Responsibility across your sales markets. The information overlaps, but the tasks and responsibilities are different.PPWR compliance software helps organize packaging data, evidence and conformity workflows. Packaging EPR software supports information and processes used […]
PPWR and EPR: Harmonisation Is Moving Forward – But SMEs Need a Workable Solution
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) has been generally applicable across the EU since 12 August 2026. While much of the regulation focuses on packaging design, recyclability, waste prevention and circularity, one topic is currently attracting particular attention among small and medium-sized businesses: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and the cost of managing it across […]
EPR Compliance Checklist for Packaging Businesses (2026)
Key TakeawaysWhat is EPR compliance? Fulfilling the registration, reporting and financial obligations that apply to you as the producer of packaging in a particular EU Member State.Who must comply? The company that qualifies as the EPR producer in the relevant Member State. This depends on the packaging flow, supply chain and market.What changed on 12 […]