Poland: important changes for packaging

The Ministry of Environment (MoE) in Poland has confirmed plans to transition the packaging EPR system to a fully state-controlled model, though it remains unclear whether this will cover both household and non-household packaging or household packaging only.

The reform aligns with the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and is set to take effect before the PPWR’s 12 August 2026 transition deadline.

In response to a parliamentary enquiry on 15 February 2025, the MoE outlined key elements of the planned reform, which shifts responsibility for financial and operational management to the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFEP).

Producers will pay legally mandated fees to the NFEP, which will set eco-modulated fee rates via regulation, and distribute funds to municipalities, sorting facilities and recyclers.

The existing ‘product fee’ will be abolished, and a stakeholder dialogue council will be established.

The reform follows recommendations from an Advisory Team that was convened in 2020 and consultations held in 2024 and 2025.

It is estimated that producers, through producer responsibility organisations (PROs), contribute roughly 10% to total household waste packaging management costs, while municipalities bear the bulk of financial responsibility.

Previous attempts to restructure the system, including a 2021 draft introducing a dual-fee model, faced strong resistance from industry, which advocated for a collaborative model between PROs and municipalities.

The MoE has not yet provided a timeline for releasing the draft legislation.

Track developments in Poland with Landbell Group’s Global EPR Information Services.

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