EU Commission raises concerns over Italy's compostable packaging proposal

The European Commission has expressed concerns over Italy's proposal to make biodegradable and compostable packaging mandatory for several single-use plastic applications from January 1, 2030, bringing renewed attention to the role of compostable plastics under the EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).

The draft regulation, submitted by the Italian government on April 1, 2026, would require compostable packaging for a range of products, including pre-packed fresh fruits and vegetables weighing less than 1.5 kg, takeaway food and beverage packaging used by the hospitality sector, single-serve condiment packs, and flexible cosmetic and personal care packaging supplied by hotels.

In comments issued on July 6, the European Commission questioned whether the proposal complies with both the PPWR and the Single-Use Plastics (SUP) Directive. Although the Commission did not issue a formal objection that would suspend Italy's legislative process, it indicated that the proposed measure may not qualify for the exemption available under Article 9 of the PPWR.

According to the Commission, member states can require compostable packaging for certain applications only under specific conditions, and such national measures are generally expected to be in place before the PPWR comes into effect on August 12, 2026. Since Italy plans to implement the requirement only from 2030, Brussels has questioned whether the proposal meets those conditions.

The Commission also asked Italy to demonstrate that sufficient infrastructure exists to collect and compost these materials efficiently. It warned that widespread use of compostable packaging could create additional recycling challenges in countries where appropriate composting systems are not yet fully developed.

In addition, the Commission emphasized that compostable plastics are still classified as plastics under the Single-Use Plastics Directive, meaning they remain subject to the directive's restrictions and consumption reduction requirements.

While the Commission's observations do not block Italy's proposal or delay the legislative process, it has requested the Italian government to review the proposal's compatibility with existing EU legislation and provide further clarification before finalizing the regulation.

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