Consultation on the 2025 edition of the minimum standard

The Zentrale Stelle Verpackungsregister (Central Agency Packaging Register – ZSVR) has launched the consultation on the current draft of the minimum standard for assessing the recyclability performance of packaging pursuant to section 21 VerpackG (Packaging Act). The final version will be published on 29 August 2025, with a new structure and in agreement with the German Environment Agency (UBA). 

The methodology used to evaluate the recyclability of a packaging unit remains unchanged. To assess what share of a packaging unit can find a second life in typical applications for that material, actual sorting and recovery practices are taken into consideration. To help companies prepare for the new requirements of the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) at an early stage, the structure of the minimum standard was revised and now includes the future classification system from the PPWR. The minimum standard covers all packaging categories from the PPWR and presents the respective measurement requirements in Appendix 2. This makes it easier for users to find all the relevant information for their packaging format in one place. The new structure improves readability and significantly expands the scope of the minimum standard. Details about the new structure and application of the 2025 edition of the minimum standard are provided in an information sheet available for download at the bottom of this page.

As in previous years, the minimum standard was developed together with experts from across the value chain. This year, the Expert Committee on Recycling-friendly Design was expanded to include further experts – including from medium-sized companies, experts for specific material types, all system operators and the GS1 Forum Rezyklat.  

Pursuant to section 21 VerpackG, the minimum standard is mainly intended for system operators. When modulating participation fees, they are required to create incentives for packaging design for recycling, taking into account actual sorting and recovery practices. 

The 2025 edition of the minimum standard must be applied to packaging subject to system participation that is placed on the German market from 1 January 2026.

To protect the systems' antitrust right to set prices independently, the minimum standard does not comment on the specific form of these incentives or propose specific models.

The consultation closed on time on 20 July 2025. The comments submitted are now being assessed, in coordination with governement authorities. The 2025 edition of the minimum standard of determining the recyclability of packaging will be published on 29 August 2025.