Italy intends to set mandatory compostability requirements for certain single-use plastic packaging. The basis is a legislative decree dated 7 August 2026, with which the country intends to utilise an exemption provision provided for in the European Packaging Regulation PPWR.
The regulation provides that certain packaging must be certified as biodegradable and compostable when first made available on the Italian market. The benchmark is the UNI EN 13432 standard or an equivalent compostability standard recognised at European level.
Which packaging is affected
The regulations cover, amongst other things, single-use plastic packaging for less than 1.5 kilograms of pre-packaged fresh fruit and vegetables. In addition, there are certain food and beverage packaging items for consumption in hotels, restaurants and catering establishments. Portion packaging, such as for tinned foods, sauces, coffee cream and sugar, can also fall under this category. Exemptions apply for individual applications, for example in medical facilities.
Also covered are certain flexible single-use packaging items for cosmetic and hygiene products in the accommodation sector. This refers to packaging that is intended exclusively for a single booking and is disposed of before the arrival of the next guest.
Italy uses leeway of the PPWR
The background is the European Packaging Regulation, which fundamentally stipulates that packaging placed on the market must be recyclable. Furthermore, from 2030, restrictions will apply to certain single-use packaging. However, under certain conditions, the PPWR allows member states to mandate compostability instead of recyclability for individual packaging categories. Prerequisites include, amongst other things, appropriately developed systems for the treatment of organic waste.
After according to the documents of the Italian Senate national legislation is necessary for Italy to be able to make use of this option. Without it, the general European requirements on recyclability and the associated restrictions would apply to the packaging in question. The proposal has been notified to the European Commission as a technical regulation.
From 1st January 2030, fines of between 2,500 and 25,000 euros are envisaged for infringements of the new requirements. Under certain conditions, the penalty may increase to up to four times the maximum amount.
Source: Senate of the Republic
