Packaging EPR for online shops in 2026: LUCID, BDO and the PPWR

Every parcel to an end customer contains packaging – and with it obligations. Since 12 August 2026 Germany applies a new act and the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) applies across the EU. Status: 19 October 2026.

Germany: what changed on 12 August 2026

The Packaging Act (VerpackG) was replaced by the VerpackDG, which works together with Regulation (EU) 2025/40. Section numbers changed.
Existing registrations stay valid; data changes must be reported by 12.11.2026, and old contracts with compliance schemes run until 31.12.2026 at the latest (§ 68 VerpackDG).
Marketplaces and fulfilment providers must check their sellers’ LUCID registration (Art. 45(4)–(8) PPWR).

Three duties in Germany

Register with LUCID before placing packaging on the market (§ 6); shops without a German establishment need an authorised representative (§ 5).
License the packaging with a dual system, stating material, mass and registration number (§ 7). Shipping boxes, filler and tape count too.
Report the same data to LUCID – mass per material type of § 42(2) (§ 9(1)). Below 10 tonnes a year, one annual report by 1 June is enough (§ 9(2)); the declaration of completeness is due by 15 May above 80 t glass, 50 t paper or 30 t of another material (§ 10).

Poland: BDO

Anyone bringing packaged products to Poland is in the BDO register and files an annual report by 15 March with the mass per packaging type. The 1-tonne exemption covers recycling targets and the product fee, not registration or the report.

PPWR: a registration in every delivery country

Since 12.08.2026 a shop shipping packaged goods to consumers in another member state needs a producer registration there and, without an establishment, an authorised representative (Art. 44(2) and 45(3) PPWR).

Where the numbers come from

From your orders, not from an estimate: sales packaging per product plus the shipping box per parcel, split by delivery country and material. WooCommerce can store exactly that with every order.

Note: this guide is not legal advice. Ask your compliance scheme about the reporting rhythm in your contract.

Germany: what changed on 12 August 2026

The Packaging Act (VerpackG) was replaced by the VerpackDG, which works together with Regulation (EU) 2025/40. Section numbers changed.

Existing registrations stay valid; data changes must be reported by 12.11.2026, and old contracts with compliance schemes run until 31.12.2026 at the latest (§ 68 VerpackDG).

Marketplaces and fulfilment providers must check their sellers’ LUCID registration (Art. 45(4)–(8) PPWR).

Three duties in Germany

Register with LUCID before placing packaging on the market (§ 6); shops without a German establishment need an authorised representative (§ 5).

License the packaging with a dual system, stating material, mass and registration number (§ 7). Shipping boxes, filler and tape count too.

Report the same data to LUCID – mass per material type of § 42(2) (§ 9(1)). Below 10 tonnes a year, one annual report by 1 June is enough (§ 9(2)); the declaration of completeness is due by 15 May above 80 t glass, 50 t paper or 30 t of another material (§ 10).

Where the numbers come from

From your orders, not from an estimate: sales packaging per product plus the shipping box per parcel, split by delivery country and material. WooCommerce can store exactly that with every order.

Note: this guide is not legal advice. Ask your compliance scheme about the reporting rhythm in your contract.