One objective of the measure is to provide access to relevant information and to enable the competent national authorities to carry out their duties.

The aim is to take into account the technical development in energy consumption over the last 10 years and to bring the classification back from the current A++ to D to the classes A to G.

Today we would like to inform you about upcoming changes in Finland. These concern packaging, batteries, disposable plastics, balloons, wet wipes, beverage cups, fishing equipment, tobacco products, textiles, cosmetics and medical products.

In addition to new limits on standby consumption of the units, lists of spare parts in particular are required to be kept for 10 years after the last unit has been sold.

Companies that produce single-use plastic products such as to-go cups, lightweight carrier bags, wet wipes, balloons, tobacco filters and plastic parts for fireworks are now to pay an annual levy into a central single-use plastic fund managed by the Federal Environment Agency. Amendments to the legislative draft now provide, among other things, for the law…

In the opinion of the Bundesrat, at EU level the orientation of the planned Ecodesign Regulation towards the circular economy and resource protection could, among other things, but not exclusively, be suitable for preventing disposable e-cigarettes from being placed on the market.

Wholesalers from abroad are also obliged to register in the Spanish producer`s register via an authorised representative if they sell packaged products to distributors in Spain.

The provision of waste sorting instructions to consumers is currently not governed by harmonised EU rules. National laws adopted in this field shall not create unnecessary burden internal market trade.

PFAS are found as active substances e.g. in rainwear, mobile phones and solar panels. Following a proposal submitted by Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, another wide range of PFAS is now to be subjected to regulation.

In the EU, various labelling regulations for non-food products exist. Currently, the focus is on labelling of packaging. A common idea of labelling has been introduced decades ago, however some countries established their own labelling requirements. Our webinar “Labelling regulations in Europe” on 20 March from 10 a.m. (CET) will provide an overview of the…

In our webinar “How to stay compliant?” on 20 March from 1.30 p.m. (CET) we will answer the most frequently asked questions for EPR-topics (EPR = Extended Producer Responsibility containing WEEE, Batteries, Packaging etc.). We will highlight how to stay compliant to fulfil the requirements of E-commerce platforms. We also will present what has changed in…

According to information from our partner law firm Vy, manufacturers, sellers and importers of IT equipment can also be affected if they offer cloud services, e.g. as an additional option. Lawyer Dr. Urs Verweyen of Vy has requested VERE e.V. for support in the matter.

In accordance with the compliance guidelines established by the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) in Malta, producers of packaging or packaging material placing less than 100 kg of packaging per year on the Maltese market are required to submit a declaration form.

From 1 March 2023, retailers must ensure that old stock is also embellished with a new energy label and that incorrectly labelled goods can no longer be sold as of March.

This project simplifies the marketing of products used in drinking water installations, such as pipes and bathroom fittings.

As there is always confusion when a WEEE registration is to be terminated in the UK, we wish to provide you with the following background information.

As reported by Recycling Magazine, the Bavarian state government passed a Bundesrat initiative at its meeting on 10 January 2023, calling on the federal government to lobby at EU level for a ban on the sale of such disposable products. In addition, the BBC reports that the Scottish government will also consider a ban on single-use cigarettes.

Among the new candidates are flame retardants (CAS No. 79-94-7), which are used e.g. in printed circuit boards, or melamine (CAS No. 108-78-1) used in Formica products and insulation boards.

In January 2020, the EU Commission launched a project to evaluate the existing EMC Directive 2014/30/EU (Electromagnetic Compatibility). This evaluation examined whether the policy continues to serve its purpose. The final paper was published on 12 January 2023.

The entry into force of the Toy Safety Regulation will further increase the awareness of high-risk products, which should cover the need for a stricter set of rules compared to the existing Toy Safety Directive, especially when it comes to the efficiency of market surveillance.