Market shares

The Zentrale Stelle Verpackungsregister (Central Agency Packaging Register – ZSVR), in agreement with the German Federal Cartel Office, develops and publishes a procedure for calculating individual systems' market share of the total volume of packaging that participates in all of the systems (section 54 (1) no. 21 VerpackDG), as well as the market share of individual systems and sector-specific solutions of the total volumes that participate in all of the systems and sector-specific solutions (section 54 (1) no. 22 VerpackDG) – the so-called 'market share calculation concept'. This concept is the basis for the ZSVR's market share calculation pursuant to section 54 (1) nos. 23, 24 and 25 VerpackDG.

In addition, the ZSVR, in agreement with the German Federal Cartel Office, has the authority to develop audit guidelines to be followed by system auditors when conducting audits under the Verpackungsrecht-Durchführungsgesetz (Packaging Law Implementation Act) (section 54 (1) no. 39 VerpackDG).

To implement the Verpackungsgesetz from 1 January 2019 onwards, the ZSVR developed the market share calculation concept and audit guidelines for system auditors in collaboration with affected stakeholders. The German Federal Cartel Office approved these documents and created a case report for issuing approval for the market share calculation concept and the audit guidelines for system auditors. This case report provides additional explanations.

The German Federal Cartel Office created a case report for issuing approval for the market share calculation concept and the audit guidelines for system auditors that provides additional explanations.

Extensive adjustments have already been made to accommodate new developments: 

• Since 2022: supplementary volume reports are now submitted once a year, as a part of the annual report (before 2022, supplementary volumes always had to be reported with the next interim or annual report). The market share calculation concept and the audit guidelines were amended accordingly as from 9 December 2021.

• Since 2023: the market share calculation concept and system auditors' guidelines underwent a thorough overhaul, based on practical experience and with all stakeholders participating in the process. Experiences had made it necessary to adjust the auditing procedure and spell out requirements more clearly. Determining the actual market share as precisely as possible is in the best interests of all stakeholders. It ensures an even playing field and supports the ecological goals behind the Verpackungsrecht-Durchführungsgesetz (German Packaging Law Implementation Act – VerpackDG). The amended concept was first applied to interim reports for the second quarter of 2024 and annual reports for the 2024 reference year. The Background Information document includes additional explanations for the overhaul conducted in 2023 (only available in German). 

• As from 12 August 2026 (entry into force of PPWR and VerpackDG): the market share calculation concept and the audit guidelines for system auditors will continue to apply in the current version. 

• As from 2027: due to new provisions under the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and the VerpackDG, the ZSVR is in the process of adjusting the market share calculation concept and system auditors' guidelines to the new legislative and legal framework. These documents will apply from the 2027 reference year onwards.