Member States overview: Implementation of the EU legislation on packaging and packaging waste

If you export to the EU, you have to make sure that the packaging you use for your products meet all EU requirements. These requirements aim to prevent the production of packaging waste, to promote the reuse of packaging (recycling or other forms of recovering packaging waste) and as such to reduce the final disposal of such waste. The requirements directly relevant for producers mainly relate to maximum concentration levels for heavy metals (lead, cadmium, hexavalent chromium and mercury) contained in packaging and to labelling (marking and identification of the materials used).

This document provides an overview of the implementation of EU legislation on packaging and packaging waste by the 27 Member States. 

All EU countries implemented the relevant EU legislation. As a result the legislation is the same throughout the EU.
 
Use the table in this document to find out details on the Member States’ implementation including references to their national legislation and authorities.

Relevant Market Sectors

Agricultural, fishery and forestry, Apparel, Automotive parts, Coffee, tea and cocoa, Consumer products, Cut flowers and foliage, Domestic Furniture, Electronic components, Engineering products, Fasteners and builders' hardware, Fishery products, Food ingredients, Footwear, Fresh Fruit and Vegetables, Hand and power tools, Home decoration, Home textiles, Honey, beewax and sugars, Household utensils, Industrial products, Jewellery, Leather goods, Medical devices and disposables, Metalworking Castings and Forgings, Natural colours, flavours and thickeners, Natural ingredients for cosmetics, Natural ingredients for pharmaceuticals, Natural stone products, Office and school supplies, Organic food products, Paints and Coatings, Personal Protective Equipment, Pharmaceutical Products, Pipe and process equipment, Plants and young plant material, Preserved Fruit and Vegetables, Processed fruits, vegetables and nuts, Rice and pulses, Sanitary ware and ceramic tiles, Spices and Herbs, Sports and camping goods, Timber and timber products, Toys and games, Vegetable oils and fats, Wine