News

The German Federal Government Commissioner for SMEs, Gitta Connemann of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), may continue serving as Federal Chair of the German SME and Business Union. Under the law governing the legal status of parliamentary state secretaries, there is no conflict between her public office and her role within the organisation. The government further considers that no actual or perceived conflicts of interest arise in the exercise of her duties.

Small-scale producers and instrument makers are currently under scrutiny by the German Federal Environment Agency. Producers of electric musical instruments, such as guitars, may face fines reaching up to 100,000 euros. A current trend in practice shows why small suppliers in particular must now be especially vigilant. Find out now what part the upcoming amendment to the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG) plays.

With the impending enactment of the proposed WEEE amendment, retailers and producers are likely to encounter much tougher collection targets and expanded take-back obligations. Additionally, new proposals also address product responsibility and establish guidelines for managing raw materials.

Collection duties, higher pay rates, and ambitious collection goals – are unlimited charges becoming a risk? The German Federal Ministry for the Environment recently published a paper containing key aspects of producer responsibility for textiles. VERE identifies critical issues and advocates for fair competition with clear demands for lower costs and less bureaucracy.

The EU is planning new emergency rules for electrical equipment designed to enable faster market entry in the event of a crisis – including a time-limited presumption of conformity. However, this supposed ‘relaxation’ only applies where harmonised standards are lacking and does not alter the fundamental product compliance obligation for producers and retailers.

The industry association Flexible Packaging Europe firmly opposes any efforts to revisit or postpone the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). The Packaging Regulation is set to apply in all EU countries from 12 August 2026.

From 28 May up until the PPWR deadline on 12 August 2026, you can take part in our PPWR Online Workshop Series – hosted by trade-e-bility. Across up to four compact monthly sessions, you will receive a clearly structured overview of the most important changes and how to implement them. Your VERE promo code: ppwr_vere_rabatt

VERE e.V. participated in the European Commission’s SME Panel survey on the Circular Economy Act. VERE prioritises harmonisation, simplification, digitalisation, and expanding Extended Producer Responsibility systems and has clearly stated its position on these matters.

One of the EUNR’s goals is to create a level playing field for all obligated companies in Europe. By curbing free-riding behaviour and consistently enforcing the EU Packaging Regulation across Europe, fair competition is to be ensured.

The European Commission plans to suspend the obligation to appoint an Authorised Representative under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) – including for packaging, electrical and electronic equipment, and single-use plastics – until 1 January 2035. Nevertheless, the Environment Committee of the Bundesrat (German Federal Council) firmly opposes this suggestion and supports keeping the current regulation at the EU level.