German Rubber Industry Calls for Simpler B2B Packaging Regulation

The German rubber industry, represented by the WDK association, is calling for changes to the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) that took effect in Germany on August 12. According to Boris Engelhardt, CEO of WDK, the PPWR requirements are not suited for shipments between industrial companies (B2B) and are creating more burdens than benefits. The association is specifically calling for exemptions for companies with annual shipping packaging consumption of less than 10 tonnes, the abolition of the obligation to involve authorised representatives, and the elimination of documentation requirements for transport packaging between affiliated companies and branches in other EU countries. WDK is also calling for a ‘Green Gate approach’ where a single collection and labelling of transport packaging would be sufficient. The industry is seeking clarity on the regulation, as the EU’s announcement of 80 further delegated acts did not bring legal certainty and instead added to bureaucracy.