Germany: Environmental Law

Die EU-Verpackungsverordnung (PPWR) entfaltet seit August 2026 unmittelbare Rechtswirkungen in allen EU-Mitgliedstaaten. Die Europäische Kommission hat mit ihrer zweiten FAQ-Auflage wichtige Klarstellungen zur Rollenzuordnung, Erzeugerverantwortung bei Eigenmarken und Transportverpackungen sowie zum behördlichen Vollzug geliefert. Unternehmen müssen ihre Position in der Wertschöpfungskette präzise bestimmen und die damit verbundenen Compliance-Pflichten erfüllen.

The European Union's new Regulation on packaging and packaging waste has fundamentally transformed compliance requirements for companies placing packaged goods on the EU market, replacing decades-old directive-based frameworks with directly applicable product-law rules. While promising regulatory harmonization across member states, the reality presents a complex dual-compliance landscape where businesses must navigate both EU-wide packaging standards and diverging national implementation approaches.

The European Union's Market-in-Sustainable-Products (MiSP) initiative enters a critical political negotiation phase with over 1,900 proposed amendments that could fundamentally reshape the EU's market architecture.

The German Federal Court of Justice has delivered a landmark ruling on climate litigation, rejecting civil claims that sought to compel major automakers to phase out combustion engines ahead of legislative timelines.

Over the last few years disruption has become a constant challenge for businesses. Volatility has become ingrained, putting companies on the back foot as they react in piecemeal fashion to unforecastable shocks.

Germany's litigation landscape is being reshaped by the convergence of tighter criminal enforcement, scalable collective redress, and intensified regulatory action ...

On May 5, 2025, the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU) entered into a coalition agreement (Coalition Agreement) with the Social Democratic Party of Germany...

On April 15, 2025, the EU Commission published a new Guidance Document, new frequently asked questions (FAQs), and a proposal for a new Delegated Act designed to simplify the compliance...

Germany's business climate remains resilient amidst global economic shifts, underpinned by its reputation as a stable and innovative market. Politically, the country is navigating post-Merkel era dynamics, with a new coalition government emphasizing green policies and digitalization.