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Requirement · FREE-02Do not prohibit, restrict or impede the placing on the market of packaging that complies with Arts. 5 to 12, and do not enforce additional national requirements against compliant packaging.
Member States must comply, and this is law in force.
Why it matters
This is law in force, not a proposal.
- It is Art. 4(2) and (3), in the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. as of 2026-08-18
- The act gives its timing as: From 12 August 2026 (Art. 71). as of 2026-08-18
- It names one industry by name: Waste. as of 2026-08-18
- Compliance is checked by none, continuous. as of 2026-08-18
What changes
All 27 Member States. Art. 70(4) suspends this for national restrictions on the Annex V point 2 and 3 formats until 1 January 2030.
The rule
New — no predecessor
Trigger
compliant packaging offered on the national market
Obligation
Do not prohibit, restrict or impede the placing on the market of packaging that complies with Arts. 5 to 12, and do not enforce additional national requirements against compliant packaging.
Who is affected
Addressee
Member States
Class
Governments
Sectors
Names Waste and landfill · Reaches Plastics converting, Paper and board, Glass and ceramics, Aluminium and metals, Wood and wood products, Food, drink and tobacco, Retail and distribution
Applies
From 12 August 2026 (Art. 71)
Burden drivers
No burden drivers recorded on this provision.
Binds a Member State, not a company by size.
Source text
Verbatim
Member States shall not prohibit, restrict or impede the placing on the market of packaging that complies with the sustainability, labelling and information requirements laid down in or pursuant to Articles 5 to 12.
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