Dark clouds over small businesses in the EU, including Mister Vee

Hello sailor!

As I was preparing a newsletter about the new developments for the Mister Vee self steering systems, a bit of news came across my desk.
It must have made itself known earlier, it is something I should have been aware of. But then, the last two years have been rather involved for me.

As of the 12th of August 2026 new regulations came in to effect in the EU: The PPWR

This is all about reducing packaging waste, which in itself is a good thing.
However, its effects on many smaller businesses, including mine, are disastrous.

Not only have the EU made the administrative side of this law very hard to comprehend, as I understand it now I have to pay fees to be part of this system:

Hundreds, sometimes over a thousand euro's.
Per year.
For every EU country I ship to in that year.

So in the most extreme case, someone in Italy who needs a jointed connector to keep his/her Navik going, ppwr requires me to register in Italy, costing over eu 1400,--.

If you ship tonnes of packaging in to Europe, you can easly pay someone to take car of the registrations.

I think you understand that I am not going to do that. Not for Italy, nor for any other country.

So unfortunately, until it is clear that this is not the case or that there are workarounds*, I will not ship anything within the EU. 
Not a Navik part, nor a self steering system.

Pickup in Wageningen is always possible of course. (Incredible I have to mention that for a company that used to and wants to ship worldwide...)

If this means that too few orders for complete systems are placed, I may have to decide not to make any at all.

I'll keep you posted on new developments.

Best regards,
Sven

* I am contemplating a workaround that would require expanding my product line and creative thinking from the customer.