In this newsletter, we inform you regularly about current developments in the field of environmental compliance.
If you have any questions, our experts will be happy to provide you with personal advice at any time.
Today's topics at a glance
EU Battery Regulation: Amazon demands registration numbers in all EU countries
USA: Nebraska introduces first battery EPR law
Canada: Newfederal register for plastic products launched
India: New barcode regulations for plastic packaging from July 2025
We wish you an exciting read and look forward to your feedback!
Yours sincerely German Recycling
EU Battery Regulation:
Amazon demands registration numbers in all EU countries
Amazon is tightening its compliance requirements for batteries and battery-powered products: From August 18, 2025, retailers must provide proof of a valid battery registration number for each EU country in which they sell such products. If this is missing, the offers may be deactivated.
Who is affected?
Manufacturers, importers and brand owners of batteries or products with integrated batteries.
Retailers who sell such products on Amazon in EU countries.
Dropshippers and resellers who sell batteries or related products.
Which countries are affected?
The registration requirement applies to all EU member states. Amazon requires a valid registration number for each country.
Registration is currently possible in the following countries: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Sweden, the Netherlands and Belgium.
What do retailers have to do?
Register with the competent authorities or an authorized PRO
Submit registration numbers in the Amazon Compliance Portal for each relevant country.
Annual reports on battery quantities and environmental charges
From August 18, 2025, Amazon is legally obliged to block non-compliant offers.
More about EU Battery Regulation
If you have any questions, our team will be happy to help you at any time.
With the "Safe Battery Collection and Recycling Act" (LB36), Nebraska was the first US state to pass a law on extended producer responsibility (EPR) for batteries. The lawhas been in forcesince May 20, 2025 and obliges manufacturers to take back and recycle certain types of batteries.
Who is affected?
Manufacturers, importers, and brand owners who sell portable or mid-size batteries or products containing such batteries in Nebraska.
Retailers who sell battery-powered products must ensure that their suppliers comply with the EPR requirements.
Private-label vendors are also considered manufacturers and are subject to the same obligations.
What products are affected?
Portable batteries: Rechargeable batteries up to 11 pounds (approximately 5 kg) and 300 watt-hours.
Medium sized batteries: Non-rechargeable batteries between 4.4 and 25 pounds (approximately 2-11 kg) and rechargeable batteries greater than 11 pounds or over 300 watt-hours, but not more than 25 pounds or 2,000 watt-hours.
Products with integrated batteries, provided the batteries are easily removable.
Exceptions apply to:
Batteries in vehicles or medical devices.
Batteries that are not intended for retail sale or are not easily removable.
Obligations at a glance
Beginning January 1, 2028, only manufacturers that are part of an approved BSO program may sell batteries or related products in Nebraska.
Annual reporting of battery quantities sold and returned, broken down by battery type.
Ban on disposal of batteries in landfills or by incineration beginning in 2028.
Beginning January 1, 2029, all affected batteries must be labeled with:
Manufacturer identification
Battery type (chemistry)
Instructions for proper disposal
Our team of experts will be happy to support you in complying with the new requirements. Contact us for a free consultation!
Canada: New federal register for plastic products launched
Canada is taking the next step in the implementation of its plastic ban strategy: the new federal register for plastic products is now online. Companies that place certain plastics on the market are obliged to register and report comprehensively.
Which products are affected?
10 product categories are subject to registration, including
Plastic shopping bags
cutlery
straws
stirrers
Take-away containers
Disposable rings for drinks packaging
Flexible packaging, plastic films, plastic bottles and containers
Agricultural films and packaging
All plastics weighing more than 1,000 kg per year and category must be reported.
Who is affected?
The registration obligation applies to
manufacturers,
importers,
brand owners or
distributors who supply controlled plastic products to the Canadian market.
Online retailers and international companies that supply to end consumers in Canada are also affected if there is no domestic contractual partner.
What needs to be done?
The Federal Plastics Registry has been online since February 27, 2024. Companies must register there and report their quantities placed on the market in 2024 by September 29, 2025 at the latest.
With the new register, producers are obliged for the first time to report national quantities of certain plastic streams - regardless of provincial regulations.
Still unsure? Our team of experts will be happy to assist you with the interpretation and implementation of your EPR obligations in Canada.
India: New barcode regulations for plastic packaging from July 2025
India is tightening its environmental regulations in the area of packaging waste: from July 2025, new requirements for the labeling of plastic packaging will apply as part of the extended producer responsibility (EPR).
Manufacturers, importers and online retailers of products with plastic packaging who place goods on the market in India fall under the EPR system (Extended Producer Responsibility). In particular, this includes companies that sell products in rigid, flexible or multilayer plastic packaging.
Which products are affected?
All plastic packaging is affected, such as
Disposable plastic packaging (flexible or rigid)
Packaging for consumer goods
Multilayer packaging with several materials
The regulation applies regardless of whether the packaging was produced domestically or imported.
What needs to be done?
The Indian environmental authority CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) currently requires all companies subject to EPR to register on the EPR portal. Companies must report quantities, provide proof of recycling and trade EPR certificates. However, there is still no obligation to label the packaging.
From July 1, 2025, all affected packaging must bear a 2D barcode or QR code containing digital information on EPR registration. This includes in particular
EPR registration number of the company
Information on the packaging category
Traceability data
This measure is intended to strengthen transparency, control and digital traceability in the waste management sector and counteract illegal practices.
If you have any questions about the EPR obligation for packaging or other product groups in India or require support, our experts can also advise you on country-specific special regulations.
To ensure that you continue to receive an informative and appealing newsletter in the future, we look forward to your feedback. Feel free to send us an e-mail and let us know your opinion, comments and suggestions for topics.
