04/09/2025.- Natural Mineral Waters Europe (NMWE) has stepped in to support our Polish national association, Krajowa Izba Gospodarcza “Przemysł Rozlewniczy” (KIGPR), in relation to the proposed Polish Packaging and Packaging Waste Bill.
As part of our ongoing commitment to promoting effective and well-designed Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems across Europe, NMWE has co-signed a joint industry contribution alongside 44 leading organisations. The statement expresses concerns about the bill’s proposed state-run model for packaging EPR, as this could pose significant challenges for operators and the packaging market.
Key concerns highlighted:
- Administrative burden: Increased bureaucracy could undermine transparency and raise costs for businesses.
- Recyclability and market access: The proposed model may hinder the recyclability of packaging and restrict market participation.
- Fee structures and legal consistency: Current provisions risk creating legal inconsistencies and unclear fee mechanisms.
Through this joint statement, NMWE and other signatories urge the Polish authorities to align the proposed EPR system with:
- The general minimum requirements of the Waste Framework Directive.
- The recyclability-at-scale concept set by the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.
NMWE is thus reinforcing its commitment to supporting national associations and members in navigating the evolving regulatory frameworks impacting the European mineral water sector.
You can find the joint industry contribution here.