Packaging obligations in Latvia (2026)
Verified on: 2026-09-01
Legal framework (EU & national)
- EU framework:
- PPWR (EU) 2025/40, applicable since 12 Aug 2026
- National:
- Iepakojuma likums (Packaging Law) and Dabas resursu nodokļa likums (Natural Resources Tax Law, DRN; packaging rates in Annex 7, mandatory system participation from 300 kg/year in Art. 8(1.2), double tax rate for breaches in Art. 8(1.3)) together with Cabinet of Ministers regulations; supervision: Valsts vides dienests (VVD, State Environmental Service), tax administration: Valsts ieņēmumu dienests (VID, State Revenue Service)
Latvia does not work with a producer register but through the natural resources tax (DRN): exemption is available only through participation in the extended producer responsibility system (RAS) – by contract with a licensed Apsaimniekotājs (waste management operator) or through an own system approved by the VVD. The VVD makes clear that Latvia currently issues NO EPR/PPWR registration numbers; the national PPWR framework is still in preparation, and until then the existing law applies. The deposit system for beverage packaging (mandatory participation from 150 kg of deposit packaging/year) is a separate topic.
Packaging EPR via the natural resources tax (DRN) & RAS participation (Latvia)
An Iepakotājs (packer) is anyone who places packaged goods on the market in Latvia for the first time or adds packaging – according to the VVD expressly including foreign companies selling at a distance to Latvian customers. From 300 kg of packaging waste per calendar year, participation in the RAS system is mandatory (contract with a licensed Apsaimniekotājs or an own system); this exempts from the natural resources tax. Below that, it is sufficient to keep records and pay the DRN to the VID.
Your to-dos
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Required documents
- Packaging records (uzskaite) per material and quarter
- Apsaimniekotājs contract or VVD exemption evidence
- Written power of attorney of the authorised representative in Latvia (if used)
Sources & verification status
- VVD – Iepakotāji un to pienākumi (Definition inkl. ausländischer Fernverkäufer, 300-kg-Schwelle, drei Erfüllungswege, VID-Fristen 20./23., doppelte/vierfache Sätze, keine EPR-Nummern, Bevollmächtigten-Option) (accessed 2026-09-01)
- VVD – Extended producer responsibility (RAS-Systeme, DRN-Befreiung, TULPE-Verfahren für Apsaimniekotāji) (accessed 2026-09-01)
- Likumi.lv – Dabas resursu nodokļa likums (Art. 8 Abs. 1.2: Teilnahmepflicht ab 300 kg/Jahr; Abs. 1.3: doppelter Steuersatz; Anlage 7: Verpackungssätze) (accessed 2026-09-01)
- VVD – Pfandverpackungen: Teilnahmepflicht am Pfandsystem ab 150 kg/Jahr (Abgrenzung zum RAS-System) (accessed 2026-09-01)
- Latvijas Zaļais punkts – FAQ zur DRN (300-kg-Pflicht, Befreiungs-Timing: Vertrag bis 10.11. für Befreiung ab 01.01.) (accessed 2026-09-01)
- Komercreģistrs – Iepakojuma nodoklis 2026 un PPWR (PPWR schafft keine EU-Verpackungssteuer; nationales DRN-System gilt fort; PPWR-Dokumentationspflichten seit 12.08.2026) (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.