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Packaging obligations in Belgium (2026)

Verified on: 2026-09-01

Draft
2 documented obligationsAuthorised representative: depends on situation2 Providers →
Legal framework (EU & national)
EU framework: 
PPWR (EU) 2025/40, applicable since 12 Aug 2026
National: 
Interregional Cooperation Agreement of 4 Nov 2008 on the prevention and management of packaging waste (last amended by the agreement of 5 Mar 2020); enforced by the Interregional Packaging Commission (IVC/CIE), which operates as the Interregional Commission for EPR (EPRiBEL); a revision of the cooperation agreement to align it with the PPWR is under way

Belgium separates household packaging (scheme: Fost Plus) and industrial/commercial packaging (scheme: Valipac). Since 12 Aug 2026, the PPWR producer concept has replaced the Belgian concept of the packaging-responsible party; the most important consequence for trade: for industrial/commercial packaging, responsibility shifts from the Belgian unpacker (former category C) to the – possibly foreign – supplier. The national 300 kg de-minimis threshold for the take-back obligation remains in the cooperation agreement, but the PPWR register obligation has no de-minimis threshold (simplified reporting below 10,000 kg/year under Art. 44(6) PPWR). Not covered in this pack: prevention plans every 3 years (from 300 t of single-use packaging placed on the market, or 100 t filled/packed in Belgium) and the planned deposit scheme for beverage packaging.

Packaging EPR for household packaging (Belgium)

Anyone first making packaged goods available on the Belgian market – including foreign online sellers selling directly to Belgian end customers – has counted as a producer under the PPWR since 12 Aug 2026. For household packaging (including shipping packaging in online retail) that means: joining the approved scheme Fost Plus (or self-fulfilment with evidence provided to EPRiBEL), annual volume reporting, payment of the Green Dot fees and an entry in the national producer register.

AuthorityEPRiBEL (Interregionale Verpackungskommission IVC/CIE)
RegisterNationales Produzentenregister (EPRiBEL)
Authorised representativedepends on situation
DeadlinesVolume declaration annually by 28 Feb for the previous year (if late: 1% surcharge per month on the previous year's contribution). PPWR obligations (producer concept, authorised representative, register obligation) have applied since 12 Aug 2026; join/register before first placing goods on the market.
CostsGreen Dot tariff per material (public at Fost Plus, eco-modulated); minimum annual contribution €100 (€50 with direct debit). For the producer register, Fost Plus has announced possible annual registration fees from 2027; registration of members via Fost Plus itself is free.

Your to-dos

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Providers for this obligation:Fost PlusCompare all schemes & representatives for Belgium →
Why does this affect me cross-border?
Foreign distance sellers selling directly to Belgian end customers are themselves the producer and thus subject to registration and contributions – without registration, no packaging may be made available on the Belgian market. Under Art. 45(4) PPWR, online platforms must obtain from third-party sellers proof of registration in the producer register and a self-certification of EPR compliance; for pure platform sellers, Fost Plus says a written mandate to the platform is possible, but the details depend on the still-pending revision of the cooperation agreement.
Required documents
  • Packaging volume and material data per calendar year (for the MyFost declaration)
  • Mandate of the authorised representative for EPR (if without an establishment in Belgium)
Sources & verification status

Packaging EPR for industrial and commercial packaging (Belgium)

For packaging that ends up with Belgian business customers (transport, secondary and B2B sales packaging), the rule since 12 Aug 2026 is: the – possibly foreign – supplier is the producer and must fulfil the EPR obligations; previously, responsibility mostly lay with the Belgian unpacker (category C). Fulfilment via Valipac, the only approved scheme (or self-fulfilment towards EPRiBEL), including the register entry and annual volume reporting.

AuthorityEPRiBEL (Interregionale Verpackungskommission IVC/CIE)
RegisterNationales Produzentenregister (EPRiBEL)
Authorised representativedepends on situation
DeadlinesObligations under the new producer concept have applied since 12 Aug 2026; EPRiBEL advised settling scheme membership before that date. Annual declaration to Valipac at the start of the following year (confirm the exact deadline with Valipac).
CostsValipac contributions 2026 per tonne: €20 (recyclable, non-plastic), €63 (recyclable plastic), €126 (non-recyclable), €0 (reusable); minimum contribution €50, flat-rate retroactive contribution of €250 for late joining.

Your to-dos

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Providers for this obligation:ValipacCompare all schemes & representatives for Belgium →
Why does this affect me cross-border?
This is the biggest Belgian change brought by the PPWR: Belgian business customers (former category C) are generally no longer themselves responsible for the industrial/commercial packaging of foreign suppliers, but they may no longer source 'illegal' (unregistered) packaging. EPRiBEL expressly advises them to demand Valipac membership or proof of registration from foreign suppliers – without registration, delivery stops by Belgian customers loom.
Required documents
  • Packaging volume and material data for the B2B packaging (including recyclability)
  • Proof of registration/scheme participation for Belgian business customers
Sources & verification status

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Legal information, not legal advice. The linked official sources prevail; data marked “draft” has not been finally verified.