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Packaging obligations in Netherlands (2026)

Draft

Verified on: 2026-09-01

EU framework: PPWR (EU) 2025/40, applicable since 12 Aug 2026

National: Besluit beheer verpakkingen 2014 (Packaging Management Decree; UPV verpakkingen – EPR for packaging) with the Regeling beheer verpakkingen and the Besluit kunststofproducten voor eenmalig gebruik (SUP decree); administered by the producer organisation Verpact (until 29 Feb 2024: Stichting Afvalfonds Verpakkingen) on the basis of an afvalbeheersbijdrage (waste management contribution) agreement declared universally binding (AVV)

The Netherlands operates ONE collective system for household and commercial packaging (Verpact) with one special feature: below 50,000 kg of packaging per calendar year, companies are exempt from the contribution and volume declaration (heffingsvrije drempel – levy-free threshold) – except for SUP packaging, which must be declared from the first kilo. Verpact expects the threshold to fall away only with the future PPWR producer register (per Verpact's assessment from 12 Aug 2027 at the earliest, with 2028 as the expected first reporting year – not yet legally binding). The single-use deposit (statiegeld) on plastic bottles up to 3 l and beverage cans is a separate topic and not covered here. Supervision/enforcement: Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport (ILT), with penalties of up to €5,000/week (max. €100,000).

Packaging EPR: Verpact registration & afvalbeheersbijdrage (Netherlands)

Anyone first making packaged goods available on the Dutch market – including foreign online sellers selling directly to Dutch end customers – counts as a producer/importer under the Besluit beheer verpakkingen 2014. Above 50,000 kg of packaging per calendar year, registration with Verpact, an annual volume declaration (aangifte) and payment of the afvalbeheersbijdrage (waste management contribution) are mandatory; below that, the levy-free threshold applies (exception: SUP packaging, see the separate obligation).

Authorised representative: 
Since 12 Aug 2026, Art. 45 PPWR has in principle required an authorised representative (gemachtigde vertegenwoordiger) in every Member State in which a distance seller without an establishment first makes packaging available. Practice according to Verpact: EU companies that stay below the 50,000 kg threshold and therefore do not have to register currently do not need an authorised representative for the UPV either. A possible removal of the PPWR authorised-representative requirement is still being negotiated at EU level; Verpact expects clarity by the end of 2026.
Cross-border: 
Foreign distance sellers delivering directly to Dutch end consumers are explicitly considered producers under the UPV (clarified on the official Rijkswaterstaat site afvalcirculair.nl). In practice, however, the obligation only becomes relevant above the 50,000 kg threshold – or from the first kilo for SUP packaging. Anyone exceeding the threshold registers with Verpact and files the annual volumes via PackTool/VerpactPortal.
Costs: 
Afvalbeheersbijdrage according to the public Verpact tariff (2026 tariffs on verpact.nl, e.g. separate rates for household and commercial packaging per material); below 50,000 kg per year no contribution is due.
Deadlines: 
Register with Verpact once you exceed the threshold; volume declaration annually via the Verpact portal (check the exact filing deadline in the portal/Verpact's policies). PPWR obligations have applied since 12 Aug 2026; according to Verpact, the 50,000 kg threshold remains in place for now.

Typical steps

  1. Estimate the annual volume of all packaging first made available in the Netherlands (including shipping packaging): above or below 50,000 kg per calendar year?
  2. If above 50,000 kg: register your company with Verpact and set up access to the declaration portal (PackTool/VerpactPortal).
  3. Submit the annual aangifte (declaration) by material type and pay the afvalbeheersbijdrage according to the public Verpact tariff.
  4. Check whether SUP packaging (e.g. cups, food containers for immediate consumption, lightweight plastic carrier bags) is part of your range – the 50,000 kg threshold does NOT apply to these.
  5. Keep packaging records (volume and material evidence); Verpact's Verpakkingencatalogus helps with classification.
  6. Monitor developments: the future PPWR producer register and a possible authorised-representative requirement (clarification at EU level expected by the end of 2026).

Providers for this obligation

Verpact (vormals Stichting Afvalfonds Verpakkingen)

Sources: Rijkswaterstaat/Afval Circulair – UPV verpakkingen (Produzentenbegriff inkl. ausländischer Fernabsatz, Rechtsgrundlagen) (accessed 2026-09-01) · Verpact – Muss ich mich seit der PPWR bei Verpact anmelden? (50.000-kg-Schwelle, Bevollmächtigter, Stand nach 12.08.2026) (accessed 2026-09-01) · Verpact – Tarife 2026 (Abfallbeheersbijdrage, heffingsvrije Schwelle, SUP-Ausnahme) (accessed 2026-09-01) · Verpact – Aangifte doen (PackTool/VerpactPortal, Registrierung vor erster Meldung) (accessed 2026-09-01) · wetten.overheid.nl – Besluit beheer verpakkingen 2014 (Rechtsgrundlage) (accessed 2026-09-01) · ILT – Interventionsstrategie Verpackungen (Aufsicht, Sanktionsrahmen) (accessed 2026-09-01) · ClearoSystems – Registrierungspflicht kleiner Webshops 2026 (Fortbestand der Schwelle, Verpact-Erwartung zum PPWR-Register; Sekundärquelle) (accessed 2026-09-01)

SUP packaging: declaration required from the first kilo (Netherlands)

For single-use plastic packaging under the SUP Directive (e.g. beverage cups, food containers for immediate consumption, lightweight plastic carrier bags) the 50,000 kg threshold does NOT apply: anyone first making such packaging available in the Netherlands must register with Verpact regardless of volume, report the unit counts and pay the SUP surcharge.

Authorised representative: 
As with the general packaging EPR: Art. 45 PPWR has provided for an authorised representative for distance sellers without an establishment since 12 Aug 2026; the practical handling in the Netherlands is tied to the Verpact registration. Since SUP packaging is subject to registration without any volume threshold, foreign suppliers of such packaging should actively clarify the authorised-representative question with Verpact.
Cross-border: 
Mainly affects sellers of food/beverages and anyone using lightweight plastic carrier bags (< 50 microns) or to-go packaging. Plain shipping cartons without SUP formats are not covered by this obligation – then only the general 50,000 kg rule counts.
Costs: 
SUP surcharge according to the public Verpact tariff per 1,000 units (2026 tariff published; rate reduced compared with 2025); plus the regular afvalbeheersbijdrage above the general threshold.
Deadlines: 
Reported as part of the annual Verpact aangifte; the obligation applies from the first SUP packaging unit placed on the market.

Typical steps

  1. Review your range and shipping process: does SUP packaging occur (cups, containers for immediate consumption, flexible packaging/wrappers, lightweight carrier bags)?
  2. If so: register with Verpact regardless of volume (no threshold for SUP).
  3. Report SUP unit counts in the aangifte and pay the SUP surcharge according to the public tariff.
  4. Separately check the labelling and product requirements of the SUP rules (Besluit kunststofproducten voor eenmalig gebruik).

Providers for this obligation

Verpact (vormals Stichting Afvalfonds Verpakkingen)

Sources: Verpact – Tarife 2026: SUP-Verpackungen fallen nicht unter die 50.000-kg-Schwelle (SUP-Zuschlag pro 1.000 Stück) (accessed 2026-09-01) · Rijkswaterstaat/Afval Circulair – UPV verpakkingen (SUP-Produzenten ohne Mengenschwelle registrierungspflichtig) (accessed 2026-09-01) · Verpact – Anmeldepflicht seit PPWR (SUP ohne Schwelle) (accessed 2026-09-01)

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