German packaging law reforms criticised for added bureaucracy and weak incentives

The German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture passed the Packaging Act (VerpackDG) despite criticism from the Zentralverband Gartenbau (ZVG). ZVG argues the law disregards flexible implementation options allowed under the EU Packaging Regulation, creating new bureaucracy such as mandatory system participation for transport packaging, additional approval and reporting duties, and extra costs for businesses, especially in B2C sales.

During a Bundestag hearing of the Environment Committee, expert witnesses echoed these concerns and added that the law lacks effective incentive structures. They note the planned eco‑modulation does not drive the use of recyclable packaging or recycled content, and that municipal collection fees for shared systems remain unresolved. The regulation on industrial packaging was described as unnecessarily complex, though the provision allowing chemical recycling to be credited from 2028 received a positive assessment.

Both groups call for revisions to improve steering effects, simplify the framework, and strengthen support for reusable systems and recycling pathways.