Unified EU Packaging Rules Needed, Says Estonian Ministry

Estonia's climate ministry is pushing for a unified European packaging regulation, arguing that requiring businesses to use different packaging standards for each EU country is illogical within a single market. Ivo Jaanisoo, deputy secretary general for environmental and circular economy at the climate ministry, stated that the goal is not to create more rules but to streamline operations for businesses across Europe.

“

Should an Estonian entrepreneur have to prepare packaging according to one standard for Germany, another for France, and a third for Spain for the same product? Such an approach would be absurd when operating in a common market.

The ministry highlighted that Europe consumes significant raw materials for packaging, and the volume of packaging waste has been growing. While recycling efforts are advancing, they are not keeping pace with the increase in waste. The new EU packaging regulation aims to reverse this trend by reducing packaging volume, enhancing recyclability, and promoting reuse solutions.

“

The idea of the new European packaging regulation is not to produce more rules, but to make operations easier for entrepreneurs in the European market, gradually reduce unnecessary over-packaging, and stimulate the new clean economy.

A key provision mandates that by 2030, all packaging placed on the EU market must be recyclable. This measure is intended to provide assurance that properly collected packaging will reach sorting facilities and be reintegrated into the material cycle as new products. The initiative supports the concept of a new clean economy by gradually decreasing excessive packaging.

“

From 2030 onwards, no packaging that cannot be recycled may be placed on the EU market.