take-e-way News and Press Releases

As part of the new EU Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, the new Battery Law Implementation Act (BattDG) replaces the previous Battery Act (BattG). All battery producers must participate in a producer responsibility organisation and producer responsibility will be introduced for all battery categories. Take-back scheme operators must provide an insolvency-proof guarantee.

The option of returning an old appliance without having to buy a new one at the same time is to be extended to all appliances with an edge length of up to 50 centimetres (previously 25 centimetres). Protection against fire risks from incorrectly disposed or damaged batteries is to be improved.

Flower pots used in horticultural production will no longer be considered sales packaging in future. The licence fees for participation in a dual system will no longer apply.

For secondary packaging, transport packaging and packaging for e-commerce, the proportion of empty space may not exceed 50%. Producers must use lighter packaging with less volume.

In particular, the draft provides for stricter rules on retail returns. Retailers must provide information about return options at the point of sale. Sanctions are envisaged in the event of non-compliance.

The PPWR regulation will be presented to the plenary of the EU Parliament in its second session from 22 April to 25 April in Strasbourg.

For sellers, a maximum empty space percentage of 50% is set for outer packaging, transport packaging and packaging for e-commerce. Producers and importers are obliged to ensure that the weight and volume of the packaging is minimised.

The amendments are intended to bring the WEEE Directive into line with a ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) from 2022.

Sellers should check whether the producers of their products are properly registered with the EAR Foundation. A lack of registration constitutes an infringement of competition rules.

Italy rejects bans on single-use packaging (Article 22) and the reusable packaging targets for various sectors and packaging formats (Article 26) in the EU Packaging Regulation and has voted against the negotiating mandate for the trialogue.