Packaging obligations in Croatia (2026)
Verified on: 2026-09-01
Legal framework (EU & national)
- EU framework:
- PPWR (EU) 2025/40, applicable since 12 Aug 2026
- National:
- Zakon o gospodarenju otpadom (Waste Management Act, NN 84/21); Pravilnik o ambalaži i otpadnoj ambalaži, plastičnim proizvodima za jednokratnu uporabu i ribolovnom alatu koji sadržava plastiku (Ordinance on packaging and packaging waste, single-use plastic products and fishing gear containing plastic, NN 137/23); Uredba o naknadi gospodarenja otpadom i povratnoj naknadi (Regulation on the waste management fee and the deposit refund, NN 137/24); Pravilnik o gospodarenju posebnim kategorijama otpada (Ordinance on the management of special categories of waste, NN 124/23)
Croatia does NOT operate a classic PRO model: the packaging system is run by the state Fond za zaštitu okoliša i energetsku učinkovitost (FZOEU, Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund). Parties placing packaged products on the market have registered since January 2025 in the electronic Registar proizvođača s proširenom odgovornošću (RPPO, register of producers with extended responsibility), report quarterly (forms AOJ/AOP) and pay the naknada gospodarenja otpadom (waste management fee per tonne and material) to the Fund; for single-use beverage packaging 0.20–3 l the povratna naknada (deposit, €0.10 per unit since 1 Jan 2025, previously €0.07) is added. Competent ministry: Ministarstvo zaštite okoliša i zelene tranzicije (Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition). From 1 Jan 2027 the deposit system will be extended (including beverage cartons, further plastics such as HDPE, containers below 0.20 l). No de minimis threshold for small volumes is apparent.
Packaging EPR: RPPO registration and fees to the Environment Fund (Croatia)
Anyone placing packaged products on the Croatian market (manufacturers, importers, companies with intra-Community sourcing – under the Fund's practice also foreign online sellers shipping directly) registers in the Environment Fund's RPPO register, reports the packaging volumes quarterly and pays the Fund's waste management fees; for single-use beverage packaging the deposit system applies in addition.
Your to-dos
0/6Why does this affect me cross-border?
Required documents
- RPPO registration certificate from the FZOEU
- Quarterly AOJ/AOP reports with volume and material data
- Power of attorney of the ovlašteni predstavnik (if without an establishment in Croatia)
Sources & verification status
- gov.hr – Ambalaža i otpadna ambalaža (System, Pfand 0,10 €, Erweiterung ab 01.01.2027, Pravilnik NN 137/23) (accessed 2026-09-01)
- FZOEU – Naknada gospodarenja otpadom für Verpackungen (Pflichtige, Formulare AOJ/AOP, Quartalsfrist, Rechtsgrundlagen) (accessed 2026-09-01)
- Narodne novine – Uredba o naknadi gospodarenja otpadom i povratnoj naknadi (NN 137/24; Entgeltsätze, Pfand 0,10 €, Registerbezug) (accessed 2026-09-01)
- TEB – Ab 01.01.2025: Pfand 0,10 €, RPPO-Registrierungspflicht, digitales RPPO-Formular des FZOEU (accessed 2026-09-01)
- Interzero Kroatien – Ovlašteni predstavnik für ausländische Fernverkäufer (RPPO, Meldungen, keine Bagatellgrenze) (accessed 2026-09-01)
- Go4Recycling – Neue EPR-Pflichten in Kroatien für ausländische (Online-)Händler ohne OIB (accessed 2026-09-01)
- FZOEU (EN) – Packaging and packaging waste fee (Entgeltarten, ältere Formulare AO3/AO10) (accessed 2026-09-01)
Does this apply to your business too? Check your specific situation.
Start the free checkLegal information, not legal advice. The linked official sources prevail; data marked “draft” has not been finally verified.