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Cross-cuttingDeposit systemsTheme 2
Deposit marks compared
Purpose
Every live national deposit-return mark in the atlas, plus the United Kingdom’s adopted 2027 logo and Greece’s still-inactive framework, on one sheet. The marks are not interchangeable. A GTIN that pays out in Lithuania may be rejected in Ireland. The Theme 3 essay explains why; this page is the printer table.
How to read the gallery
Status is in force, adopted (instrument made, system not yet live), or not in force. Size is quoted from the country report only. Where the report says the millimetre lock-up lives in an operator handbook, the sheet says so rather than inventing a number. PPWR Article 12(10) preserves national DRS signs beside the future Union sorting label. It does not harmonise them.
The argument that a single pan-European drinks SKU is impossible is in Deposit marks: why is a single pan-European SKU impossible?
Visual referenceWhere a sourced specimen exists
ZALOHOVANEStatutory wording — not a pictogram
10c refund at collection depots/points in participating State/Territory of purchaseStatutory wording — not a pictogram
CALIFORNIA REDEMPTION VALUE / CA CRVStatutory wording — not a pictogram
Pictorial DRS logos (Re-turn, Volta, SGR, MOHU, DOA, Exchange for Change, Nordic pant marks) are licensed scheme artwork. This gallery does not reconstruct them. Use the operator’s current file; a photograph or a consultant redraw is not compliance. Last verified: 23 August 2026.
Comparative table
| Market | Status | Mark | Wording | Identifier | Scope / exclusions | In force | Size in the instrument |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | in force | DPG one-way identifier | Marked pfandpflichtig; EINWEG/MEHRWEG is a shelf notice | GTIN + DPG database; security ink in the DPG spec | Covered one-way drinks. Mehrweg is a different regime | Operating system (current DPG) | Not in the Act; DPG specification |
| Latvia | in force | MK 519 Annex 2 special sign (single-use or AU) | No statutory sorting sentence | Unique barcode; QR accepted at return | PET and cans 0.1 L–<3 L, listed drinks; narrower glass list. Wine and listed wines/spirits in glass; 3.0 L out | 1 February 2022 | Not in MK 519 |
| Ireland | in force | Re-turn logo | Scheme logo as specified by the operator | Registered barcode; Ireland requires a market-specific GTIN (GS1 in Europe 2024, as cited in the deposit-marks article) | In-scope beverage containers. Not a universal Irish sorting label | 1 February 2024 | Re-turn specification — not restated as statute here |
| Portugal | in force | Volta deposit symbol | Scheme symbol | Registered GTIN/EAN | Covered single-use beverage packaging. Not a universal Portuguese sorting panel | Nationwide from 10 April 2026 | Operator specification |
| Romania | in force | SGR / RetuRO symbol | National SGR symbol | Compliant barcode | Covered non-refillable beverage packaging. No universal sorting panel | 30 November 2023 | RetuRO SGR specifications |
| Slovakia | in force | Z symbol in recycling arrows | ZALOHOVANE near the barcode | Registered EAN; package verification before placement | Covered beverage bottles and cans. General material coding is not universal | 1 January 2022 | Operator manuals; statute requires the Z mark and text |
| Lithuania | in force | Deposit-system sign | System sign on deposit packaging | Identifying barcode meeting operator machine-readability rules; original GTIN permitted with extra fees (GS1 in Europe 2024) | Covered beverage packaging. Nordic pictograms remain voluntary | Operating system | Operator specification |
| Estonia | in force | Prescribed deposit marking | Packaging Act ss 21 and 23 | Registered barcode where obligations are transferred to a recovery organisation | Packaging subject to deposit. Not a universal national sorting label | Operating system | Not extracted as a millimetre table in the country report |
| Finland | in force | Return-system / PALPA identification | Indicate the deposit and participation in the approved system | PALPA package identification | Beverage containers in an approved return system. General material codes and Nordic pictograms voluntary | Operating system | PALPA specification |
| Denmark | in force | Danish deposit mark | Dansk Retursystem mark as specified | Approved barcode | Covered one-way beverage packaging. National waste pictograms generally voluntary on-pack | Operating system | Operator specification |
| Sweden | in force | Returpack system mark | Mark identifying the system and refund amount | Approved barcode / operator specification | Covered plastic beverage bottles and metal cans. Common sorting pictograms voluntary | Operating system | Returpack technical specification (not the ordinance millimetre table) |
| Norway | in force | Infinitum deposit mark | Mark showing the refund rate | Approved barcode; package testing | Beverage packaging in a deposit arrangement. National sorting pictograms voluntary; PPWR not automatically EEA-applicable | Operating system | Country report: mark at least 9 mm by 9 mm showing the deposit amount |
| Netherlands | in force | National deposit logos | Clear and indelible deposit indication | Registered barcode | Covered plastic bottles and cans. Weggooiwijzer is voluntary and does not certify recyclability | Operating system | Operator specification |
| Poland | in force | Statutory deposit logo | PLN 0.50 (plastic bottles and cans) or PLN 1 (reusable glass) | Readable barcode; intact label required for refund | Covered plastic bottles, metal cans and reusable glass bottles. No universal national sorting label | 1 October 2025 | Clearly, visibly, legibly and durably on the label — no millimetre figure in the report |
| Hungary | in force | MOHU return-system mark | Prescribed return-system identification | Registered GTIN or barcode | Covered non-reusable and reusable beverage containers. Does not extend to packaging outside the return system | 2024 | Operator / decree specification. Deposit: HUF 50 on non-reusable covered containers |
| Croatia | in force | Croatian deposit-system mark | Current return-fee mark in the prescribed position and form | Visible, readable GTIN | Covered beverage containers. Not a general Croatian sorting label | Operating system | Prescribed position and form in the regulation / operator kit |
| Austria | in force | Austrian deposit symbol | Section 6 of the 2023 Deposit Ordinance | Barcode | Covered single-use plastic or metal beverage containers. No universal national waste-fraction instruction | 1 January 2025 | Visibly, recognisably and durably — no millimetre figure in the report |
| Turkey | in force | DOA/DYS controlled mark | Controlled system mark | Approved system barcode; package approval before placement | Covered one-way PET, glass and aluminium beverage packaging. Article 15 does not create a compulsory sorting panel for every package | Nationwide return network 1 July 2026 | DBYS technical criteria |
| Israel | in force | Statutory deposit legend (not a logo) | Indelible statement that a deposit applies, plus the refund amount (statutory minimum 30 agorot) | Not a German-style security mark | Covered beverage containers. No universal government recycling logo | Deposit Law 1999 / Regulations 2001 | Clearly and indelibly — no millimetre figure in the report |
| United Kingdom | adopted | Exchange for Change logo | Scheme logo plus return code | Scheme return code | PET, steel, aluminium 150 ml–3 L (England, NI, Scotland). Wales: separate scheme, glass labelling later. Glass out of England/NI/Scotland at launch; Wales glass deposit 0 pence until 30 Sep 2031 | 1 October 2027 (adopted, not yet applied) | Operator specification — not quoted as a statutory millimetre here |
| Singapore | in force | Schedule deposit mark (two colour schemes) | S$0.10 deposit; not GST | Barcode; BCRS / Return Right | Plastic or metal, 150–3,000 ml. Glass and cartons out. Health/medicinal liquids out | Labelling backstop 1 October 2026 (scheme from 1 April 2026) | Not in S 123/2026; BCRS FAQ recommends 11.7 × 11 mm, min 9.7 × 9 mm |
| Greece | not in force | National DRS mark (framework only) | Contemplated logo, barcode and deposit value | Registered barcode once activated | Participating containers once the system is live. Operator reports licensing and phased activation incomplete | Not an operative national mark as of verification | Not in force |
System sheets
Deposit markin force
Germany
| Field | Rule |
|---|---|
| Mark | DPG one-way identifier |
| Wording | Marked pfandpflichtig; EINWEG/MEHRWEG is a shelf notice |
| Identifier | GTIN + DPG database; security ink in the DPG spec |
| Scope / exclusions | Covered one-way drinks. Mehrweg is a different regime |
| In force | Operating system (current DPG) |
| Size in the instrument | Not in the Act; DPG specification |
Deposit markin force
Latvia
| Field | Rule |
|---|---|
| Mark | MK 519 Annex 2 special sign (single-use or AU) |
| Wording | No statutory sorting sentence |
| Identifier | Unique barcode; QR accepted at return |
| Scope / exclusions | PET and cans 0.1 L–<3 L, listed drinks; narrower glass list. Wine and listed wines/spirits in glass; 3.0 L out |
| In force | 1 February 2022 |
| Size in the instrument | Not in MK 519 |
Deposit markin force
Ireland
| Field | Rule |
|---|---|
| Mark | Re-turn logo |
| Wording | Scheme logo as specified by the operator |
| Identifier | Registered barcode; Ireland requires a market-specific GTIN (GS1 in Europe 2024, as cited in the deposit-marks article) |
| Scope / exclusions | In-scope beverage containers. Not a universal Irish sorting label |
| In force | 1 February 2024 |
| Size in the instrument | Re-turn specification — not restated as statute here |
Deposit markin force
Portugal
| Field | Rule |
|---|---|
| Mark | Volta deposit symbol |
| Wording | Scheme symbol |
| Identifier | Registered GTIN/EAN |
| Scope / exclusions | Covered single-use beverage packaging. Not a universal Portuguese sorting panel |
| In force | Nationwide from 10 April 2026 |
| Size in the instrument | Operator specification |
Deposit markin force
Romania
| Field | Rule |
|---|---|
| Mark | SGR / RetuRO symbol |
| Wording | National SGR symbol |
| Identifier | Compliant barcode |
| Scope / exclusions | Covered non-refillable beverage packaging. No universal sorting panel |
| In force | 30 November 2023 |
| Size in the instrument | RetuRO SGR specifications |
Deposit markin force
Slovakia
| Field | Rule |
|---|---|
| Mark | Z symbol in recycling arrows |
| Wording | ZALOHOVANE near the barcode |
| Identifier | Registered EAN; package verification before placement |
| Scope / exclusions | Covered beverage bottles and cans. General material coding is not universal |
| In force | 1 January 2022 |
| Size in the instrument | Operator manuals; statute requires the Z mark and text |
Deposit markin force
Lithuania
| Field | Rule |
|---|---|
| Mark | Deposit-system sign |
| Wording | System sign on deposit packaging |
| Identifier | Identifying barcode meeting operator machine-readability rules; original GTIN permitted with extra fees (GS1 in Europe 2024) |
| Scope / exclusions | Covered beverage packaging. Nordic pictograms remain voluntary |
| In force | Operating system |
| Size in the instrument | Operator specification |
Deposit markin force
Estonia
| Field | Rule |
|---|---|
| Mark | Prescribed deposit marking |
| Wording | Packaging Act ss 21 and 23 |
| Identifier | Registered barcode where obligations are transferred to a recovery organisation |
| Scope / exclusions | Packaging subject to deposit. Not a universal national sorting label |
| In force | Operating system |
| Size in the instrument | Not extracted as a millimetre table in the country report |
Deposit markin force
Finland
| Field | Rule |
|---|---|
| Mark | Return-system / PALPA identification |
| Wording | Indicate the deposit and participation in the approved system |
| Identifier | PALPA package identification |
| Scope / exclusions | Beverage containers in an approved return system. General material codes and Nordic pictograms voluntary |
| In force | Operating system |
| Size in the instrument | PALPA specification |
Deposit markin force
Denmark
| Field | Rule |
|---|---|
| Mark | Danish deposit mark |
| Wording | Dansk Retursystem mark as specified |
| Identifier | Approved barcode |
| Scope / exclusions | Covered one-way beverage packaging. National waste pictograms generally voluntary on-pack |
| In force | Operating system |
| Size in the instrument | Operator specification |
Deposit markin force
Sweden
| Field | Rule |
|---|---|
| Mark | Returpack system mark |
| Wording | Mark identifying the system and refund amount |
| Identifier | Approved barcode / operator specification |
| Scope / exclusions | Covered plastic beverage bottles and metal cans. Common sorting pictograms voluntary |
| In force | Operating system |
| Size in the instrument | Returpack technical specification (not the ordinance millimetre table) |
Deposit markin force
Norway
| Field | Rule |
|---|---|
| Mark | Infinitum deposit mark |
| Wording | Mark showing the refund rate |
| Identifier | Approved barcode; package testing |
| Scope / exclusions | Beverage packaging in a deposit arrangement. National sorting pictograms voluntary; PPWR not automatically EEA-applicable |
| In force | Operating system |
| Size in the instrument | Country report: mark at least 9 mm by 9 mm showing the deposit amount |
Deposit markin force
Netherlands
| Field | Rule |
|---|---|
| Mark | National deposit logos |
| Wording | Clear and indelible deposit indication |
| Identifier | Registered barcode |
| Scope / exclusions | Covered plastic bottles and cans. Weggooiwijzer is voluntary and does not certify recyclability |
| In force | Operating system |
| Size in the instrument | Operator specification |
Deposit markin force
Poland
| Field | Rule |
|---|---|
| Mark | Statutory deposit logo |
| Wording | PLN 0.50 (plastic bottles and cans) or PLN 1 (reusable glass) |
| Identifier | Readable barcode; intact label required for refund |
| Scope / exclusions | Covered plastic bottles, metal cans and reusable glass bottles. No universal national sorting label |
| In force | 1 October 2025 |
| Size in the instrument | Clearly, visibly, legibly and durably on the label — no millimetre figure in the report |
Deposit markin force
Hungary
| Field | Rule |
|---|---|
| Mark | MOHU return-system mark |
| Wording | Prescribed return-system identification |
| Identifier | Registered GTIN or barcode |
| Scope / exclusions | Covered non-reusable and reusable beverage containers. Does not extend to packaging outside the return system |
| In force | 2024 |
| Size in the instrument | Operator / decree specification. Deposit: HUF 50 on non-reusable covered containers |
Deposit markin force
Croatia
| Field | Rule |
|---|---|
| Mark | Croatian deposit-system mark |
| Wording | Current return-fee mark in the prescribed position and form |
| Identifier | Visible, readable GTIN |
| Scope / exclusions | Covered beverage containers. Not a general Croatian sorting label |
| In force | Operating system |
| Size in the instrument | Prescribed position and form in the regulation / operator kit |
Deposit markin force
Austria
| Field | Rule |
|---|---|
| Mark | Austrian deposit symbol |
| Wording | Section 6 of the 2023 Deposit Ordinance |
| Identifier | Barcode |
| Scope / exclusions | Covered single-use plastic or metal beverage containers. No universal national waste-fraction instruction |
| In force | 1 January 2025 |
| Size in the instrument | Visibly, recognisably and durably — no millimetre figure in the report |
Deposit markin force
Turkey
| Field | Rule |
|---|---|
| Mark | DOA/DYS controlled mark |
| Wording | Controlled system mark |
| Identifier | Approved system barcode; package approval before placement |
| Scope / exclusions | Covered one-way PET, glass and aluminium beverage packaging. Article 15 does not create a compulsory sorting panel for every package |
| In force | Nationwide return network 1 July 2026 |
| Size in the instrument | DBYS technical criteria |
Deposit markin force
Israel
| Field | Rule |
|---|---|
| Mark | Statutory deposit legend (not a logo) |
| Wording | Indelible statement that a deposit applies, plus the refund amount (statutory minimum 30 agorot) |
| Identifier | Not a German-style security mark |
| Scope / exclusions | Covered beverage containers. No universal government recycling logo |
| In force | Deposit Law 1999 / Regulations 2001 |
| Size in the instrument | Clearly and indelibly — no millimetre figure in the report |
Deposit markadopted
United Kingdom
| Field | Rule |
|---|---|
| Mark | Exchange for Change logo |
| Wording | Scheme logo plus return code |
| Identifier | Scheme return code |
| Scope / exclusions | PET, steel, aluminium 150 ml–3 L (England, NI, Scotland). Wales: separate scheme, glass labelling later. Glass out of England/NI/Scotland at launch; Wales glass deposit 0 pence until 30 Sep 2031 |
| In force | 1 October 2027 (adopted, not yet applied) |
| Size in the instrument | Operator specification — not quoted as a statutory millimetre here |
Deposit markin force
Singapore
| Field | Rule |
|---|---|
| Mark | Schedule deposit mark in two colour schemes (S 123/2026 reg. 6) |
| Wording | S$0.10 deposit; not the price; not GST |
| Identifier | Barcode; BCRS registered product |
| Scope / exclusions | Plastic or metal 150–3,000 ml. Not glass, not cartons, not third-material combinations. Health and medicinal liquids out |
| In force | 1 October 2026 labelling backstop |
| Size in the instrument | Not in the regulations; BCRS FAQ 11.7 × 11 mm recommended |
Deposit marknot in force
Greece
| Field | Rule |
|---|---|
| Mark | National DRS mark (framework only) |
| Wording | Contemplated logo, barcode and deposit value |
| Identifier | Registered barcode once activated |
| Scope / exclusions | Participating containers once the system is live. Operator reports licensing and phased activation incomplete |
| In force | Not an operative national mark as of verification |
| Size in the instrument | Not in force |
Primary sources and verification
Each row is drawn from the corresponding country report (and, for the GTIN split, the Theme 3 deposit-marks article citing GS1 in Europe 2024). If this gallery and the report diverge, the report controls. Last verified: 23 August 2026.