August 5, 2026 15:32

Despite a request for clarification from Brussels, which does not amount to an adverse opinion, the Italian government has decided to proceed with its initiative to make compostable plastics mandatory for certain types of single-use packaging (read the article).

At its meeting on 4 August 2026, the Council of Ministers approved a decree-law amending the Italian Environmental Code. Under the measure, specific categories of packaging may be placed on the domestic market for the first time only if they are biodegradable and compostable and certified as such.

Article 9 of the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) allows this option where suitable systems are in place for collecting and treating organic waste.

The requirement applies to packaging for fresh fruit and vegetables, packaging used in the food service and catering sectors, single-portion food packaging and packaging used in the hospitality sector.

More specifically, it covers:

• packaging for prepacked fresh fruit and vegetables weighing less than 1.5 kg;
• single-use plastic packaging for food and beverages that is filled and intended for consumption on the premises of hotels, restaurants and catering establishments;
• single-use plastic packaging used in the hotel, restaurant and catering sectors and containing individual portions of condiments, with some exceptions;
• single-use flexible packaging for cosmetics and personal hygiene products intended for use in the hospitality sector.

According to a statement issued by the Council of Ministers, the measure is intended to preserve production continuity throughout Italy’s compostable bioplastics supply chain and in the economic sectors that use this type of packaging.

The European Commission’s concerns relate to possible conflicts with both the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUP).
Brussels also highlighted a potential cross-border issue: compostable packaging placed on the Italian market could become waste in another Member State that lacks suitable infrastructure, entering the wrong waste stream and compromising the recycling of other materials.

However, the Commission’s observations do not amount to a formal rejection of the measure and did not extend the standstill period established under the European technical regulations notification procedure (TRIS).

Assobioplastiche, the association representing Italy’s compostable plastics industry, welcomed the decision. “This is a measure that our association has followed closely over the past few weeks and whose outcome we consider vital for the supply chain,” said President Luca Bianconi (pictured). “We hope that Italy’s example can once again serve as a model at European level". 

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