Waste management to include all packaging

In 2025, all packaging placed on the national market - primary, secondary or tertiary - will be subject to waste management obligations.

Types of packaging:

• Primary: in direct contact with the product (e.g. a bottle).
• Secondary: groups together several primary packages (e.g. a box of 4 bottles).
• Tertiary: used for transportation and storage (e.g. a pallet with several boxes).

The aim of these changes is to improve the control and traceability of packaging on the market, promoting more efficient and sustainable waste management.

What changes for companies

The new rules apply to all companies that manufacture or use non-reusable packaging, including:

• Manufacturers in Portugal, who produce or label products under their own brand
• Resellers who use their own brand
• Importers of products from the European Union or other countries
• Distance sellers based abroad, but who sell to Portugal

Each year, companies must:

• Register and report data through SIRER - Sistema Integrado de Registo Eletrónico de Resíduos (Integrated Electronic Waste Registration System)
• Declare packaging forecasts for the current year
• Enter the final data for the previous year
• Indicate which waste management system is used (individual systems, for which the company is fully responsible, or integrated systems, using external management entities).

A set of frequently asked questions is available to help companies comply with these legal obligations.

Source: IAPMEI Portal