Dear Esteemed Readers,
We hope this EXPRA Newsletter finds you well.
As we move through the first quarter of 2026, we are pleased to share the latest developments in the field of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which continue to shape the future of packaging waste, sustainability, and the broader circular economy. It has been a dynamic and productive start to the year, with EXPRA members actively contributing to key policy discussions and practical developments across Europe and beyond.
Over the past months, EXPRA has continued to grow and strengthen its network. We are pleased to welcome Citeo (France), Repak (Ireland) and UK Packaging PRO (United Kingdom) to our community. EXPRA members now represent organisations covering approximately 73% of the EU population, further reinforcing our collective voice in support of effective, not-for-profit, industry-led EPR systems.
From a regulatory perspective, our We have advanced discussions on key upcoming sub-legislation under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), with a strong focus on the Draft Commission Notice – developing practical proposals to ensure obligations remain both enforceable and supportive of effective recycling.
In addition, together with EPRO, EXPRA contributed to the Commission’s consultation on EU-wide end-of-waste criteria for plastics. While supporting harmonisation, EXPRA highlighted the importance of a realistic timeline, broader scope, and clearer, achievable thresholds to avoid unintended disruptions to recycling markets and progress towards recycled-content targets.
At the same time, we thank our Slovenian member Slopak for highlighting a significant legal development. At the beginning of the year, the Slovenian Constitutional Court confirmed that a system in which producers fulfil EPR obligations collectively through a single, producer-owned, non-profit organisation is compatible with both constitutional economic freedoms and EU law. The ruling reinforces the legal validity of the non-profit, producer-led model, while also underlining the importance of transparent and well-defined transition frameworks.
On 25 February, the European Court of Auditors presented its report on EU municipal waste management to the European Parliament’s ENVI Committee. The report highlighted a significant gap between EU ambitions and actual implementation by Member States, pointing to delays in enforcement and limited oversight. These findings indicate the need for stronger enforcement measures in the future.
These developments further strengthen EXPRA’s role as a platform for collaboration and coordinated engagement at EU level. The expansion of our network and the legal clarity provided by recent rulings both support the continued development of robust, transparent, and effective EPR systems across Europe and beyond.
The Packaging Waste & Sustainability Forum, held from 24–26 March 2026 in Brussels, once again proved to be a key moment for exchange and collaboration. EXPRA was proud to actively contribute and co-organise the EPR Toolkit Workshop, which opened the Forum with a full day of high-level discussions.
The workshop, moderated by our EXPRA’s Managing Director, Joachim Quoden, provided a comprehensive overview of the current state of EPR in Europe and its evolving role as a strategic tool for sustainability. Discussions addressed key challenges such as the complexity of reporting across 27 national systems, the need for more harmonised and transparent data, and the importance of digital solutions to improve compliance and efficiency.
Contributions from distinguished panellists highlighted both the challenges and the opportunities in strengthening EPR performance across Europe. This was followed by discussions on eco-modulation, which emphasised the importance of well-designed financial incentives to drive more sustainable packaging choices. The dialogue also explored the interaction between EPR and Deposit Return Schemes, as well as the need to scale up sorting and recycling infrastructure. A key takeaway from the day was clear: EPR is a powerful tool to drive investment, foster collaboration, and enable systemic change towards a circular economy.
Looking ahead, European leaders are calling for the finalisation of several simplification packages by the end of 2026, including the Environmental Omnibus and the Industrial Acceleration Regulation. These accelerated timelines are expected to significantly shape the policy landscape in the months to come.
We look forward to continuing this journey together and to sharing further updates in the coming months.
Yours sincerely,
Your EXPRA Team