A new law in Germany prohibits the sale of nitrous oxide in quantities exceeding eight grams. The aim is to curb abuse and protect the environment. The law came into force on 12 April 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Germany has implemented a new law that bans the sale of nitrous oxide cartridges exceeding eight grams as of 12 April 2026.
- The law aims to protect the environment and public health, particularly by preventing misuse as a party drug among minors.
- Sales of nitrous oxide to individuals under 18 are completely prohibited, while smaller quantities for specific commercial use remain allowed.
- Health officials stress that legal restrictions need to be supported by practical prevention measures and counselling for young users.
- The law also addresses safety risks in waste management, as improperly disposed cartridges pose significant dangers to waste disposal facilities.
On 12 April 2026, a nationwide ban on the sale of nitrous oxide cartridges came into force in Germany. This is regulated by the new law on psychoactive substances. The Berlin Senate Department for the Environment and the Berlin City Cleaning Services (BSR) have welcomed the measure. In addition, it aims to protect the environment and public health.
The new law prohibits the sale of nitrous oxide in high-street shops, online or via vending machines if the filling volume exceeds eight grams. Furthermore, the sale to, as well as the purchase or possession by, persons under the age of 18 is completely prohibited. The aim is to prevent the misuse of nitrous oxide as a party drug. The law also aims to better protect the health of minors and to avoid damage to the environment and infrastructure. However, the use of nitrous oxide as a propellant for whipped cream in cartridges containing less than eight grams for commercial purposes remains permitted.
Health protection and prevention measures
The Berlin Senate Department of Health was actively involved in developing nationally coordinated regulations to prevent the misuse of nitrous oxide. “The ban on the sale of nitrous oxide is right and important,” said Berlin’s Health Senator Ina Czyborra. However, in her view, legal restrictions alone are not sufficient. Czyborra called for targeted, practical prevention measures through channels such as schools, youth centres and social media. The goal is to raise awareness of the risks. The Health Senator added that young people who are already using the substance must be granted low-threshold access to support and counselling services. This is to ensure early intervention.
“The ban on the sale of nitrous oxide finally tackles a problem that has been a burden on the environment, people and infrastructure in recent years,” said Berlin’s Environment Senator Ute Bonde. She explained that a decline in illegal consumption would also mean less danger to young people, less litter on the streets and less damage during waste treatment.
Safety risks for waste management
Berlin’s municipal waste management company, BSR, had previously called for political action and repeatedly highlighted the dangers posed by improperly disposed cartridges. Stephanie Otto, CEO of BSR, stated: “For BSR, as for many other waste management companies in Germany, nitrous oxide cartridges have become a serious safety risk for their waste-to-energy plants.”
Otto expressed the hope that the new law would lead to a sustainable reduction in the risk of explosion for staff and in costly damage. Damage caused by nitrous oxide cartridges at Berlin’s waste disposal facilities results in millions of euros in losses each year. These losses must be covered by the public.
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