Whether packaging typically accumulates as waste with private final consumers depends on a forward-looking assumption (ex ante analysis). It does not depend on whether a specific item of packaging can be proven to have accumulated as waste with a private final consumer; a generalised assessment needs to be made.

If an article of packaging usually accumulates with private final consumers, this is considered to be typical. Whether this is or is not the case should be assessed bearing in mind prevailing practice. To this end, objective criteria should be considered, such as the contents of the packaging (who tends to use the goods), the design of the packaging (for example its size, closures, dosage aids) and other features (for example content volume, material, weight), as well as the typical distribution channel (for example retail stores, wholesalers).

However, it must be noted that not only private households are deemed to be private final consumers within the meaning of the Verpackungsgesetz (Packaging Act), but also sources of waste generation in commercial settings, in the leisure sector and at charitable facilities (refer to 'comparable sources of waste generation') (English link coming soon).

Examples:

• Flour is sold in a 18-kilogram bag to a small bakery. The bakery does not sell the flour in that form; it uses it to bake bread. The bakery is the final consumer of the flour, and the bag is therefore retail packaging.

• A convenience store sells ice lollies. They are delivered in large transport boxes (which in turn hold several smaller boxes containing the ice lollies). The convenience store sells the goods; however only the ice lolly in its immediate packaging is received by the final consumer. The transport box remains at the convenience store, and is therefore deemed transport packaging. The primary packaging around the ice lolly itself is, however, packaging subject to system participation.

The Zentrale Stelle Verpackungsregister (Central Agency Packaging Register – ZSVR) has published  the system participation requirement catalogue containing the classifications of different types of packaging, taking into consideration the criteria mentioned above. This catalogue is an administrative regulation. To receive legal certainty beyond the catalogue, you can apply to the ZSVR to receive a determination about whether a specific article of packaging is subject to system participation.

Any time a transfer to a third party in the course of business actually occurs, this is considered to be placing on the German market or distribution within the meaning of the Verpackungsgesetz (Packaging Act). It is immaterial whether the transfer is in exchange for money or not. Registration and system participation (where applicable) is required, for example, for sample goods or giveaways or other complementary transfers of packaged goods, as long as this occurs as part of the practice or promotion of a commercial activity. This includes every transfer that occurs in the course of product distribution. The critical factor is that a third party takes possession of the packaging.

Anyone who has registered or has to register their self-employment as a business, or anyone who generates income from commercial activities, independent work or agriculture and forestry within the meaning of German income tax law, is operating commercially within the meaning of the Verpackungsgesetz (Packaging Act).

Even an individual who claims losses against taxes owing to their activity or computes profit from agriculture and forestry on the basis of average rates (section 13a (6) EStG (Income Tax Act)) is operating commercially.

Mandatory specification of names owing to other legal provisions that are not related to producer status under packaging law cannot on their own rule out application of section 3 (9) VerpackG. Section 3 (9) VerpackG must be applied if the other requirements are met.

For transparency reasons, however, the legal provision that requires additional names should be specified, for example: "Responsible person under the KosmetikV: [name]".

Additional names specified that differ from the producer under packaging law may be mandatory in part owing to legal provisions, e.g. under the Kosmetikverordnung (Cosmetics Ordinance – KosmetikV). They do not lead to non-applicability of section 3 (9) VerpackG if the additional name attribution bears no relevance under packaging law.

Indications without name attribution (identifying markers such as the approval number or health mark in accordance with Regulation (EC) 853/2004 for foodstuffs or even the registration number of the LUCID Packaging Register) are not considered name attribution within the meaning of section 3 (9) VerpackG. For this reason, identifying markers that refer to a company other than the one mentioned on the packaging cannot rule out application of section 3 (9) VerpackG on their own. Section 3 (9) VerpackG must be applied if the other requirements are met. If retail packaging is placed on the German market on behalf of a (retail) company, using that company's own brand and/or name without naming the filling company on the packaging, the party that orders the filling is considered to be the producer/initial distributor if the packaged goods are also handed over to the ordering party. The filling party is not the producer / initial distributor in this case. In such cases, the ordering party must register and undertake system participation, as applicable, and is considered the producer within the meaning of the Verpackungsgesetz.

Through research, identifying markers can often allow conclusions to be drawn about the company marked. They typically bear no relevance under packaging law. In any case, further steps are required with identifying markers to determine the company marked. For this reason, if the name of the other company is not indicated, identifying markers do not lead to non-applicability of section 3 (9) VerpackG. Identifying markers are required under food law for some foodstuffs in particular to indicate origin, but they bear no relevance under packaging law.

A level playing field is key if we want to protect our environment. Companies must ensure that their packaging harms the environment as little as possible. This is referred to as assuming 'producer responsibility', which governed by the Verpackungsgesetz (Packaging Act). Where packaging cannot be prevented, all market players that distribute packaged goods must be registered with the LUCID Packaging Register. Another factor is that 'high-quality' recycling of packaging waste is only possible in a financially sound market. That is why you are required to pay for the recycling of your retail, grouped or shipment packaging that is subject to system participation by concluding a 'system participation agreement' with a system operator.

The Verpackungsgesetz (Packaging Act) defines private final consumers as private households and comparable sources of waste generation such as restaurants, hotels, hospitals, canteens, amusement parks, garden centres, laundries, libraries and schools. This also includes craft enterprises and agricultural holdings where packaging waste is collected at the rate that is normally associated with private households at 14-day intervals and in a waste bin that does not exceed 1,100 litres per collection group. A list of of comparable sources of waste generation can be found here.