EU To Introduce New Regulations on Packaging And Packaging Waste

  Recently, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union reached a provisional political agreement on a new regulation on packaging and packaging waste. The regulation, which will replace the current packaging and packaging waste directive 94/62/EC, aims to reduce packaging waste and introduce a series of sustainability measures, including requiring all packaging to be recyclable by 2030.

  The regulation is part of the European Green Deal and the EU Circular Economy Action Plan and is seen as key to helping the EU transition to a more sustainable and resource-saving economy. The regulation contains progressive targets for reducing packaging waste, requiring member states to reduce 5% by 2030, 10% by 2035 and 15% by 2040 based on 2018 levels.

Business impact and next steps

  All packaging placed on the EU market will be subject to the regulation, with different obligations for packaging manufacturers, suppliers, importers, distributors and service providers. The regulations will apply to any business selling packaged goods and impose some strict requirements.

  The EU’s future packaging regime has been clearly defined to help guide companies’ sustainable development. The interim agreement still needs to be approved and formally adopted by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union before being published in the Official Journal and taking effect. The regulations will be implemented 18 months after they come into effect.