Packaging EPR in Germany for food and drink sellers

Q: What are Germany EPR requirements for food packaging?

Food packaging that reaches consumers is licensed with a dual system and reported in LUCID, like any other household packaging; a seller with no establishment in Germany also needs a German authorised representative. On top: service packaging filled at the point of sale can be pre-licensed by your supplier; single-use drinks bottles and cans carry the deposit; and takeaway food containers fall under the single-use plastics fund and the reusables offer.

What are Germany EPR requirements for food packaging?

Food packaging sold to consumers is licensed with a dual system like any other. Extra rules apply to service packaging, single-use drinks (deposit) and takeaway (single-use plastics fund, reusables).

Since 12 August 2026, § 5 VerpackDG, implementing Article 45(3) of Regulation (EU) 2025/40, requires a producer with no establishment in Germany to appoint an authorised representative before it first makes packaging available in Germany. Read § 5

By Razvan Toma · Founder · Last checked 8 November 2026 · Sources linked below

Quick answer

The standard rules, plus three food-specific ones.

Standard: LUCID registration, dual-system licence, data reports, and a representative if you have no German establishment.
Service packaging (bags, cups, wrapping filled at the counter): your supplier can license it upstream (how).
Drinks: single-use bottles and cans carry the deposit (Pfand).
Takeaway: food containers fall under the single-use plastics fund (EWKFondsG) and the reusables offer.

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What are Germany EPR requirements for food packaging?

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