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Packaging obligations in Poland (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: 
The Act of 13 Jun 2013 on the management of packaging and packaging waste (still in force) and the ustawa o odpadach (Waste Act; BDO register). The major EPR reform (draft UC100: a new 'ustawa o opakowaniach i odpadach opakowaniowych' – packaging and packaging waste act – adapting Polish law to the PPWR) has not yet been adopted – updated drafts of 8 Jul 2026 and 17 Aug 2026 (version 4.0), government approval planned for Q3 2026. Responsible authority: Ministerstwo Klimatu i Środowiska.

Until the EPR reform arrives, the old system applies: BDO registration + securing the recycling targets (usually via an Organizacja Odzysku Opakowań – packaging recovery organisation) + annual report; if targets are missed, the opłata produktowa (product fee) falls due. The reform draft provides for a packaging levy (opłata opakowaniowa) per kg with the NFOŚiGW in a central role, replacement of the opłata produktowa and DPR certificates from 2028, and repeal of the 2013 act as of 1 Jan 2029 – the legal situation is in flux. The Polish single-use deposit scheme (system kaucyjny, in place since 1 Oct 2025 for beverage packaging) is a separate topic and not covered here.

Packaging EPR: BDO registration & register number (Poland)

Anyone placing packaged products on the Polish market (wprowadzający produkty w opakowaniach) must be entered in the register of the BDO product and waste database BEFORE starting the activity. The assigned BDO register number must be stated on business documents (including invoices); marketplaces such as Allegro and Amazon check it and block listings without a number.

AuthorityMinisterstwo Klimatu i Środowiska / Marschallämter der Woiwodschaften
RegisterRejestr BDO (Baza danych o produktach i opakowaniach oraz o gospodarce odpadami)
Authorised representativedepends on situation
DeadlinesRegistration before starting the activity (the Marshal decides within 30 days); annual fee by the end of February.
CostsRegistration fee of 200 zł (micro-enterprises) or 800 zł (other companies) since 1 Jan 2025; an annual fee of the same amount is due by the end of February each year (not in the year of registration).

Your to-dos

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Why does this affect me cross-border?
Foreign companies can and must register in the BDO to sell packaged goods into Poland: with a Polish establishment, the application is filed electronically with the locally competent Marshal; WITHOUT an establishment, the application must be submitted in writing (signed) directly to the Marshal of the Mazovian Voivodeship (Marszałek Województwa Mazowieckiego) – official BDO guidance. Processing time: up to 30 days. Without a BDO number, fines and marketplace listing blocks loom.
Required documents
  • Written BDO application with company details (for companies without a Polish establishment: to the Marshal of Mazovia)
  • Proof of fee payment
Sources & verification status

Recycling targets, annual report & opłata produktowa (Poland)

Parties placing packaged products on the market must secure the statutory recycling targets for their packaging waste – themselves or (the standard case) via a contract with an Organizacja Odzysku Opakowań (packaging recovery organisation) –, submit the annual report on the previous year in the BDO by 15 March, and pay the opłata produktowa (product fee) if the targets are missed.

AuthorityMarschallämter der Woiwodschaften (über das BDO-System)
RegisterRejestr BDO
Authorised representativedepends on situation
DeadlinesAnnual report by 15 Mar for the previous year (via the BDO); opłata produktowa by 31 Mar. Reform: under draft UC100 the old target system only runs until the changeover from 2028.
CostsOrganizacja Odzysku fees by material and volume (contractual). Opłata produktowa only if targets are missed: per the official business portal, the 2025 rate per material ranges between 0.30 zł and 2.70 zł per kg of the shortfall.

Your to-dos

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Providers for this obligation:Rekopol Organizacja Odzysku Opakowań S.A.Interzero Polska (Organizacja Odzysku Opakowań)Compare all schemes & representatives for Poland →
Why does this affect me cross-border?
Registered foreign sellers must also secure targets and report. Important: under the UC100 reform draft, today's system (Organizacja Odzysku contracts, DPR certificates, opłata produktowa) will only run until the end of 2027/2028 – so keep contracts flexible and watch the reform.
Required documents
  • Packaging volumes by material for the Organizacja Odzysku report and the BDO annual report
  • Contract with the Organizacja Odzysku (including takeover of the education-campaign obligation)
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.