Initial successes!
We welcomed Florian Müller (MP, CDU), Ralf Schwarzkopf (MP, CDU) and Mayor Jan Nesselrath as high-ranking representatives from the federal, state and local government. They voiced great understanding for the worries of SMEs and assured us that they would present our concerns to the relevant committees and ministries. So things are now moving – sending an important signal that fills us with pride.
Meinerzhagen, 16.09.2025
Senior politicians from the federal, state and local government visited the Meinerzhagen site to learn more about the consequences of the Disposable Plastics Fund Act (EWKFondsG), which entered into force at the beginning of 2025. The law obliges manufacturers of certain single-use plastic products to pay levies into a central fund – with serious implications for German SMEs.
“A shipment of drinking milk cups worth €600,000 will incur additional costs of €200,000 as a result of the EWKFondsG – resulting in a relocation of production to non-EU countries”, explained Uwe Fernholz, Managing Partner of the packaging manufacturer. The fact that foreign companies will remain virtually unaffected is particularly critical. Some EU Member States, for instance, will not implement the regulation at all for the time being or have significantly weakened its requirements. By contrast, German companies are at a massive disadvantage due to high taxes and bureaucratic obligations. Points of criticism from a business perspective include unclear guidelines on the amount of the levy, a considerable administrative workload and the absence of uniformity across Europe.
The politicians were impressed by the innovative power and sustainable practices of the family business, but also expressed significant concerns about unfair competition. Guests included Florian Müller (MP, CDU), Ralf Schwarzkopf (MP, CDU) and Mayor of Meinerzhagen, Jan Nesselrath.
Points of criticism from a business perspective include unclear guidelines on the amount of the levy, a considerable administrative workload and the absence of uniformity across Europe. “Germany is again leading the field in the introduction of bureaucracy – regrettably at the expense of its own economy,” says Fernholz.
The invited politicians assured us that they would present our concerns to the relevant committees and ministries. The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs (BMWE), the Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUKN) and the state government of North Rhine-Westphalia are already involved. The aim is to create a level playing field and to ease the strain on small and medium-sized enterprises.
powered by 