Licensing Well-Packed: Comply with the Packaging Act
Why do you need a packaging license? Since January 2019, the Packaging Act has been the legal framework for extended producer responsibility. This means that as a manufacturer or distributor, you must ensure that your packaging is collected, sorted, and recycled.
To comply, you need to register with the Central Packaging Registry (ZSVR) and join a dual system by signing a system participation agreement, also known as a licensing agreement.
Dual systems are private companies that manage the collection, sorting, and recycling of glass, paper, and lightweight packaging nationwide, complementing municipal waste disposal of organic and residual waste (dual = additional).
The aim is to take responsibility for packaging and close the recycling loop, saving resources and promoting sustainable packaging production.
Simple and Straightforward: Packaging Licensing with PreZero Dual
Packaging License Made Easy, Packaging Design Made Better – with the PreZero Network
Whether you're distributing small or large packaging quantities, PreZero Dual's user-friendly license calculator helps you quickly and effortlessly obtain a legally compliant packaging license. This is crucial for ensuring your business is prepared for the future from the legal standpoint. With new regulations like the upcoming EU Packaging Regulation PPWR (Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation), recyclable packaging will be increasingly mandated and regulated.
The use of recyclates in packaging will likely become mandatory, driving up the demand for recyclates, such as in polyethylene (PE) recycling. By partnering with PreZero Dual, you can contractually ensure a steady supply of recyclates based on your packaging quantities and recycling rates.
This includes plastic recyclates such as HDPE, PP, and PS, films made from up to 80% recycled content, and Silphie paper.
For the obligations under the Packaging Act (VerpackG), you need a professional who knows the legal requirements and can ensure your packaging is compliant and processed in an environmentally friendly manner. PreZero Dual is here to help you accomplish just that — ensure you stay compliant.
Another benefit: Our network provides numerous opportunities to develop your packaging portfolio and establish a strategic partnership with PreZero Sustainable Packaging. Together, we can enhance your packaging design for greater sustainability, ensuring you are prepared for tomorrow’s challenges today — whether it’s about PPWR, VerpackG, or recyclate scarcity.
Being part of the Schwarz Group, which includes Lidl and Kaufland, we view waste management from both the disposer and manufacturer perspectives. With our own dual system, we share responsibility for packaging from Lidl and Kaufland, actively promoting material recycling.
Political regulations and consumer demands are pushing for more recyclable packaging and reduced carbon footprints. With PreZero Dual’s network, you can comply with laws and meet consumer demands while minimizing your environmental impact. From packaging licensing and consulting to collection, sorting, processing, and recycling, we support you throughout the entire value chain. This allows you to produce more economically, ecologically, and sustainably.
Your Benefits with PreZero Dual at a Glance
PreZero Dual offers quick, easy, and legally compliant packaging licensing. You’ll also find numerous opportunities to turn the challenges of the Packaging Act into progress and a competitive edge. Discover some of the benefits:
Price Guarantee
We offer a price guarantee for the current licensing year, with services starting at just 79 EUR/year.
Legal Compliance
PreZero Dual’s packaging licensing meets all requirements of the Packaging Act (VerpackG).
Flexible Cancellation Policy
Enjoy a three-month notice period with just a one-year minimum contract term.
Perfect for All Packaging Quantities
We tailor our solutions to fit your specific needs, no matter the packaging volume.
Expertise Across the Entire Value Chain
Being part of the Schwarz Group, PreZero Dual has extensive expertise and connections at every point of the recycling loop.
Access to Recycled Materials
Gain access to plastic recyclates, films with up to 80% recycled content, and Silphie paper that can be used to produce new packaging.
Comprehensive Packaging Consultation
We help you analyze your packaging portfolio and develop more recyclable solutions. Our tool, "PreZero SPOT," in cooperation with Packaging Cockpit, allows you to optimize your packaging's eco-design.
Always available
Have questions about your contract, services, or the Packaging Act? We’re here to help whenever you need.
Your Easy Step-by-Step Guide to Packaging Licensing
1. Calculate Your Packaging Volumes
Use our license calculator to enter the annual volumes of packaging you distribute and get a cost estimate.
2. Sign the System Participation Agreement (Licensing Agreement)
Fill in your company details and finalize the contract with PreZero Dual. You are now enrolled in a dual system.
3. Report Your Data Volumes
Submit your packaging volumes to the Central Packaging Registry (ZSVR) and PreZero Dual.
4. Submit a Declaration of Completeness
If your material volumes exceed specific set thresholds, submit a declaration of completeness to the ZSVR. The thresholds are 80 t/year for glass packaging, 50 t/year for paper, cardboard, and carton packaging, and 30 t/year for lightweight packaging.
FAQ
Any manufacturer or distributor placing product-filled packaging on the German market must obtain a license. This includes packaging filled for the first time, accumulated through commerce, or used for commercial purposes.
In Germany, packaging is subject to extended producer responsibility. This means manufacturers are responsible for the packaging they put on the market and must ensure its proper disposal. As a result, every distributor must register their packaging with a dual system and obtain a license.
In general, all sales packaging, outer packaging, and shipping packaging, including all filling materials and service packaging, must be part of a dual system. This helps optimize the recycling process.
Visit the ZSVR website to perform a quick check and see if your packaging requires system participation. Find out if you need to register your packaging with a dual system.
Licensed packaging is accumulated at households or household-like collection points (e.g., hospitals, restaurants, hotels, offices) in yellow bins, yellow sacks, paper bins, and municipal glass containers. Besides, we can also handle your transport packaging.
The new update to the Packaging Act (VerpackG) came into force on July 3, 2021. It aims to increase recycling rates and requires that packaging for private end consumers be registered with a dual system. Learn more about the Packaging Act here.
The ZSVR (Central Packaging Registry) is the regulatory body that ensures compliance. It compares the quantities of packaging introduced to the German market by distributors with those licensed by dual systems, thereby enforcing extended producer responsibility.
Distributors and importers must obtain a license for their packaging before it can be marketed in Germany. Without a license, retailers must not sell products to private consumers, facing hefty fines and a sales ban. Administrative penalties can include fines up to 200,000 EUR and additional sanctions such as the confiscation of profits.