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Requirement · REC-03Re-comply with design-for-recycling criteria within 3 years each time the Commission adopts or updates them by delegated act.
Economic operators placing packaging on the market must comply, and this is law in force.
Why it matters
This is law in force, not a proposal.
- It is Art. 6(4), final subparagraph, 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 5 industries by name: Plastics converting, Paper and board, Glass, Aluminium and Wood. as of 2026-08-18
- Compliance is checked by technical documentation (Annex VII), per delegated act. as of 2026-08-18
What changes
A standing re-tooling obligation with no end date: every future revision of the criteria restarts a three-year clock for every affected format.
The rule
New — no predecessor
Trigger
entry into force of a new or updated design-for-recycling delegated act
Obligation
Re-comply with design-for-recycling criteria within 3 years each time the Commission adopts or updates them by delegated act.
Who is affected
Addressee
Economic operators placing packaging on the market
Class
Businesses
Sectors
Names Plastics converting, Paper and board, Glass and ceramics, Aluminium and metals, Wood and wood products · Reaches Waste and landfill
Applies
From 12 August 2026 (Art. 71)
Burden drivers
D4 · D5 — 2 of 7 marks fire on this provision.
No size threshold.
Source text
Verbatim
Economic operators shall comply with new or updated design for recycling criteria within 3 years of the date of entry into force of the relevant delegated act.
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