We have already reported in detail on the key points of the amendment in our blog-post “Ban of lightweight plastic carrier bags planned – draft of a first act to amend the packaging law“, dated 19.08.2020.
The version of the law that has now been passed does not contain any substantive changes compared to the draft version. A new paragraph 2 with the following content is thus added to the existing Sec. 5 VerpackG:
“From January 1, 2022, final distributors shall be prohibited from placing on the market plastic carrier bags, with or without carrying handle, with a wall thickness of less than 50 microns, which are intended to be filled with goods at the point of sale. The first sentence shall not apply to plastic carrier bags with a wall thickness of less than 15 microns, provided that they fulfil the other conditions laid down in Article 3(1d) of Directive 94/62/EC (…).“
Only the expiry of the transitional period was fixed bindingly at 01.01.2022, instead of the six months period from the date of promulgation provided for in the draft bill. This means that the companies concerned now have a good year to use up remaining stocks and introduce alternatives.
The documentation on the resolutions is available at: Bundestag stimmt für Verbot leichter Plastiktüten
Do you have questions about this news or do you want to discuss the news with the author? Please contact: Michael Öttinger
