New registration obligation for packaging in Spain

The Spanish packaging law obliges producers to register their packaging. Distributors from abroad must also register through an authorised representative if they sell packaged products in Spain.

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Document titled GPSR with a magnifying glass placed over a warning sign
General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988 obliges
GPSR Risk Analysis Required

Mandatory for almost every product: According to the GPSR, producers must draw up technical documentation for the products they place on the market. The technical documentation must be based on an internal risk analysis.

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General Product Safety Regulation requires Responsible Person
EU Responsible Person Service for the GPSR and more

Since 16 July 2021, it is against the law to sell products with CE marking without a Responsible Person in the EU. In addition, a Responsible Person must also be specified in accordance with the General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988.

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Personal EU Batteries Regulation Training
Ready for the new Batteries Regulation (EU) 2023/1542

Find out which obligations the EU Batteries Regulation places on you and how to deal with them in your specific case. Receive comprehensive information on how to implement your obligations with regard to labelling, battery passport, EPR and due diligence obligations in the supply chain.

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Bundestag decides to ban plastic carrier bags

According to the German Federal Ministry of the Environment, the sale of plastic bags is to be banned in Germany from 1 January 2022. On 26 November 2020, the Bundestag approved a relevant amendment to the Packaging Act initiated by Federal Environment Minister Svenja Schulze. In future, plastic bags with wall thicknesses of 15 to 50 micrometers will no longer be allowed to get into circulation.

According to the German Federal Ministry of the Environment, the sale of plastic bags is to be banned in Germany as of 1 January 2022. On 26 November 2020, the Bundestag approved a relevant amendment to the Packaging Act initiated by Federal Environment Minister Svenja Schulze. In future, plastic bags with wall thicknesses of 15 to 50 micrometers will no longer be allowed to get into circulation. The best alternatives are fabric and other non-plastic bags or baskets.

Federal Environment Minister Svenja Schulze: “Used for just a few minutes and, in the worst case for decades in the environment – the plastic bag is the epitome when it comes to wasting resources. This throwaway mentality is no longer in keeping with the times. The need to ban plastic carrier bags is more than overdue. However, disposable articles made from other materials must not replace the plastic bag at this point. The future is not the disposable paper bag. The future is reusable – and this is really no problem, especially with bags. Good alternatives are shopping baskets, washable fabric bags for fruit and vegetables and reusable boxes for goods from the fresh produce counter.”

The consumption of plastic bags has decreased in Germany in recent years. Nevertheless, consumers still use around 1.6 billion plastic carrier bags each year, or around 20 plastic bags per capita.

So-called “shirt pockets” with a thickness of less than 15 micrometers are not prohibited. Above all, they ensure hygienic handling of open and easily perishable foods such as meat or sausage products. There is no good alternative for this purpose as yet. Accordingly, a ban would possibly lead to more (pre-)packaging entering the market, which could lead to an increase in packaging waste. Many retail chains are already dispensing with packaging for loose products where possible. Plastic carrier bags with a wall thickness of more than 50 micrometers, on the other hand, are comparatively stable and therefore typically used more often.

The ban on plastic bags passed by the Bundestag on 26 November 2020 still has to be approved by the Bundesrat. The MPs have chosen 1 January 2022 as the date of entry into force.

If you have any questions on the German Packaging Act, the take-e-way GmbH consultants will be pleased to assist you. Call +49/40/750687-0 or send an e-mail to beratung@take-e-way.de.

Further particulars are available on the BMU’s website:

https://www.bmu.de/pressemitteilung/schulze-es-geht-auch-ohne-die-plastiktuete/

Sebastian Siebert
Contact

Sebastian Siebert
Head of Advisory services

Phone: +49 40 750687-0

beratung@take-e-way.de

Christoph Brellinger
Contact

Christoph Brellinger
Head of Marketing & Public Relations

Phone: +49 40 750687-0

presse@take-e-way.de

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