Certification Introduction
ProdSG is the German product safety law. On September 23, 2011, the German Bundestag promulgated the revised version of the "Device and Product Safety Law" (GPSG), the current "Product Safety Law" (ProdSG). The German Bundestag passed the bill and published it in the Federal Law Gazette on November 11, 2011, and it came into force on December 1, 2011.
The Product Safety Act applies to almost all products, with the exception of special fields such as medical equipment and food. The Act implements many European CE directives into German law. In addition to the areas regulated by the unified directive, the Product Safety Law also provides for products outside the regulated areas of the unified directive, such as parts and accessories used by merchants for reprocessing.
All participants, including online retailers, are obliged to register under the new packaging law. The first to bring packaging products (including filling materials) to the German market and end in consumer waste, both subject to VerpackV and VerpackG. The extended product liability principles apply here. Therefore, these parties are responsible for ensuring that all relevant packaging materials are collected and recycled.
All companies selling goods in Germany must be prepared to participate in a dual system to arrange for packaging recycling after goods are used and continue trading in Germany.
How does this affect your company
If you don't register, the new requirements may create obstacles for your company's product sales. Packaged goods cannot be marketed in Germany until the Zentrale Stelle registration has been completed. These requirements still apply even if your company only places one item on the market per year.
Without registration, your company can be subject to a hefty fine of up to 200,000 euros in Germany, and any missed declarations will be fined 10,000 euros.
In addition, the bill would encourage packaging manufacturers to incorporate recyclability considerations into their packaging designs. All businesses are required to register on the packaging center registration website to ensure market access.
