Set up deposit and return systems for single-use plastic beverage bottles and metal beverage containers, with a deposit charged at the point of sale, meeting the Annex X minimum requirements.
Member States must comply, and this is law in force.
Why it matters
This is law in force, not a proposal.
- It is Art. 50(2) and (11), in the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. as of 2026-08-18
- The act gives its timing as: By 1 January 2029 (Art. 50(1) and (11)). as of 2026-08-18
- It names 2 industries by name: Waste and Retail. as of 2026-08-18
- Compliance is checked by reporting to the Commission under Art. 56(1)(c), continuous. as of 2026-08-18
What changes
Member States without a DRS today face building national return infrastructure, and retail carries the return points. Art. 50(5) exempts a Member State that already reached 80% separate collection of the format in 2026 and notifies an implementation plan by 1 January 2028 -- but Art. 50(7) withdraws the exemption if the rate stays below 90% for three consecutive years.
The rule
the packaging formats in Art. 50(1)
Set up deposit and return systems for single-use plastic beverage bottles and metal beverage containers, with a deposit charged at the point of sale, meeting the Annex X minimum requirements.
Who is affected
Burden drivers
Binds a Member State, not a company by size, though the retail take-back it forces reaches every point of sale.
Source text
Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that deposit and return systems are set up for the relevant packaging formats referred to in paragraph 1 and that a deposit is charged at the point of sale.
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