EPR Roundup: Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands

EPR Roundups examine extended producer responsibilities (EPR) across the markets served by 3E. They use expert insights from our research team and proprietary 3E data to explore the EPR regulatory landscape and help readers determine their obligations in the jurisdictions in which they do business.

Belgium’s primary legislation for managing waste and EPR responsibilities is the 2008 Packaging Waste Agreement, which applies to all regions in Belgium. Belgian packaging producers must inform authorities of the packaging quantities placed annually on the Belgian market, take back all packaging through organized recovery and recycling operations, and introduce prevention plans every three years outlining efforts to minimize packaging waste.

Packaging Types

The waste agreement defines waste by function rather than material. Packaging can therefore be made of any material as long as it protects goods and facilitates their handling, presentation, and transportation to customers. Packaging materials are single or compound materials of natural or artificial origin, and plastic is considered a polymer.