ZSVR launches consultation on the draft 2024 edition of the minimum standard for determining the recyclability of packaging
The Stiftung Zentrale Stelle Verpackungsregister (Foundation Central Agency Packaging Register – ZSVR) has prepared the draft 2024 edition of the minimum standard for determining the recyclability of packaging pursuant to section 21 VerpackG (Packaging Act). As in 2019, the new version of the minimum standard was prepared in agreement with the German Environment Agency. In the run-up, Expert Committee III (on recycling-friendly design) prepared another recommendation to revise the 2023 edition of the minimum standard and include new findings into a 2024 edition. As in previous years, the entire value chain and all packaging material groups were represented in the Expert Committee. This draft 2024 edition of the minimum standard is based on feedback on the content published between 2018 and 2023.
Section 21 VerpackG requires systems to calculate their participation fees in such a way that incentives are included with a view to the production of packaging subject to system participation to promote the use of materials and material combinations that allow for the highest possible percentage to be recycled, taking into account the practice of sorting and recovery. The minimum standard serves to provide a basic threshold that must be met in the requisite process of assessing packaging materials, their combination and compounding. The minimum standard is a preliminary step towards the actual incentives that are to be set by the systems. As such, these systems are the target audience for the minimum standard. The document also contains the process for determining the recyclability of packaging and provides a structured overview of the assessment criteria and processes.
The minimum standard for determining the recyclability of packaging subject to system participation must not take any position on exactly how incentives are set by the systems, or on the incentive models, because doing so would encroach on the systems' freedom to set prices, which is protected under antitrust law. The minimum standard was published for the first time on 1 September 2019. The consultation version now available represents an update to the contents compared to the 2023 edition, and will be the 2024 edition once published on 1 September of this year. As in the previous year, we have documented the reasons for the significant amendments in a summary that we will also publish.
Business reference
354301/01.MR.23#0001
Stakeholders
As the minimum standard concerns incentivising the recyclability of packaging subject to system participation in the calculation of participation fees, stakeholders include the systems, operators of sector-specific solutions and producers.
Participation
Written submissions on the current draft may be made by
Friday, 12 July 2024
In addition, you will be able to access the English version of the consultation draft of the new minimum standard from 10 June 2024 onwards. Please note that the English version is a service we provide for you. The German version is binding. Submissions can be sent to the ZSVR by post or preferably electronically at konsultationsverfahren(at)verpackungsregister.org.
The minimum standard and the process for determining recyclability will subsequently be subjected to another review and approval process. The final version of the 2024 edition of the minimum standard will be available on the ZSVR website starting 1 September 2024.
