Environment and sustainability – August 2026
EU rules and regulations
The EC has published an article on the new PPWR rules that apply as of 12 August 2026 and the EC has updated the FAQ. The EC has opened consultations on assessing recycled plastic from non-EU countries, on calculating recycled content in plastic packaging, on sustainability criteria for plastic recycling technologies and on national EPR registers. A report (2.85 MB) by CEFLEX shows that 2.5 million tonnes of PCR plastic will be required by 2030 to meet PPWR targets in flexible packaging. The EC has published new rules on calculating recycled content in PET bottles for the SUP directive, including chemical recycling. The EC has adopted a Delegated Act that updates and simplifies the scope of the EUDR and an Implementing Act on the submission of due diligence statements. The EUDR Guidance has also been published in all EU languages. The EC has launched the Digital Product Passport (DPP) Registry established under the Ecodesign Regulation (ESPR). CEN-CENELEC is working on EU DPP standards for the operational management that will be delegated to Third-Party Service Providers. The EC welcomes the Common Understanding reached by the Consumer Protection Cooperation Network (CPC) on how national authorities will enforce Directive (EU) 2024/825 on empowering consumers for the green transition, including protection against greenwashing. EXPRA has published its 2026 overview (4.79 MB) of EPR fees and tariff structures in 35 countries.
Rules and regulations in EU countries
Finland: The EC has opened an infringement procedure for failing to correctly transpose the Waste Framework Directive. France all in French: Ademe informs that the government has delayed the launch of EPR for commercial packaging to 1 January 2027 (was 1 July 2026). For commercial packaging you can join Citeo Pro, Léko Pro or Twiice. Germany: VerpackDG (successor of VerpackG) transposing the PPWR has been published (in German). ZSVR and DNHK (in Dutch) give an overview of the changes including that EPR is now for the importer. NL all info is in Dutch unless stated otherwise: During a webinar (with English subtitles), Verpact shared the ranges of tariffs for 2027. On 1 July, the Circular Economy Committee debate took place. Ahead of this, the members of the House of Representatives received a letter from the minister setting out proposed improvements to the DRS, including its extension to cover dairy and juice bottles. Enclosed were the Monitoring (in Dutch, 466 kB) of beverage packaging in litter over 2025 and a WUR study (1.11 MB) on collection methods for beverage bottles. They also received a letter on the use of recycled materials in food-contact applications and a government response to the WKR advise (4.5 MB) on the sustainable use of materials. The minister also stated in a letter that the findings of a CE Delft study (1.2 MB) on a SUP-tax will be taken into account in the decision-making process regarding the budget. NVRD, Verpact and VNG have published the Municipal Packaging Protocol for the Cooperation Agreement. CBL has published the 2025 Packaging Report (1.09 MB). Slovakia: The EC has decided to send a reasoned opinion for failing to correctly transpose the SUP directive.
Rules and regulations outside the EU
Switzerland: PwC reports on the adoption of VerpV (in German), a new Packaging Ordinance that includes EPR and that will come into force on 1 January 2027. UK: Valpak reports that PackUK has published RAM 2027 (Recyclability Assessment Methodology). The government is preparing mandatory due diligence requirements to prevent goods sold in the UK from being linked to illegal deforestation. A report (10.96 MB) published by Ceres shows that approximately 22% of plastics recycling capacity has been lost between 2023 and 2025. US: The US Plastics Pact has released updated guides for designing plastic packaging for reuse, recycling or composting.
NVC members receive this information with all the relevant links in the monthly NVC Members-only Update. If you have any questions, please contact us: info@nvc.nl, +31-(0)182-512411