Belgium
Provinces
Packaging
Provinces
Packaging
About
Packaging
About
Packaging
Packaging
Packaging
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging in Belgium
In accordance with the Belgian Single-Use Plastic Products Regulation, which became effective on January 1, 2023, producers and importers of specific single-use plastic packaging and items are required to cover the expenses associated with widespread public waste collection and cleanup by participating in an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system.Who must register for packaging EPR in Belgium
- Every company or manufacturer engaged in the sale or manufacture of products that include packaging must register for EPR. The rules apply to both companies located in Belgium and those importing goods into the country.
What the package includes
In general, the packaging category includes quite a few different components, and below are a few examples:- Combined packaging made of different materials
- Paper packaging for liquids
- Transportation packaging
- Bags for transportation
- Reusable packaging
- Special packaging
Threshold
Any company operating in the Belgian market and using over 300 kg of packaging is obligated to sign up for the recycling program and provide yearly reports on the amount of packaging they use. Failure to comply may result in the government imposing fines on these companies.EPR registration procedure in Belgium
- Determine packaging type (household or industrial)
- Join the appropriate compliance scheme
- Sign a membership agreement and submit packaging declaration
- Pay fees based on the quantity and type of packaging material
Authorized representative
Companies are not required to appoint a representative for registration and compliance with the EPR rules.Reporting deadline
The annual declaration deadline is consistently set for February 28th, covering the packaging you introduced to the market in the preceding year. To clarify, need to submit the declaration for the packaging placed on the market in 2023 no later than February 28, 2024.Who assumes responsibility?
- In-country producers are responsible for their own packaging
- Foreign sellers (e.g., via e-commerce) must comply via local representation
- For B2B packaging, the company that first introduces the packed product into Belgium is responsible
Duties of each group
- Fost Plus members: declare household packaging annually, pay eco-contributions, communicate on sorting/recycling
- Valipac members: track and declare industrial packaging, participate in take-back schemes
- Retailers and importers: ensure proper classification and reporting of all types of packaging waste
Subscribe to the newsletter
No spam, only interesting news