New EU packaging rules raise questions for small businesses
A new EU packaging regulation now requires businesses to register in every country where they sell goods. Some small entrepreneurs have paused foreign sales while awaiting clarification.
A new EU regulation on packaging took effect on August 12, requiring businesses that sell packaged goods online in another EU member state to register their packaging in that destination country's registry. Since requirements currently differ between countries, several small business owners have decided to temporarily halt sales outside their home market.
Artist Valdek Laur has stopped selling his work to other EU countries, explaining that for every country an order comes from, he would need to research different requirements and register in that country's specific packaging registry. He noted he has seen a European Commission statement saying businesses can continue operating as before, but said he would like official clarity on the exact obligations involved.
Kaidi Holm, owner of the small soap-making workshop Seebistuudio, has likewise paused sales to other EU countries until the precise obligations become clear. She said that for a small business with few staff, any additional administrative duty means time taken away from other work.
The entrepreneurs do not dispute the goal of the new rules — reducing packaging volumes and increasing recycling — but say the growing administrative burden is the real problem.
Transition period
Estonia's Ministry of Climate says the new registration duty does not require businesses to change their sales practices immediately, since a transition period is in place. A related implementing act, which would define exactly how reporting and data submission should work, is still being discussed at the European level. If that act enters into force, member states will have another year and a half to bring their registries into line with it, said Ivo Jaanisoo, deputy secretary general of the ministry.
The ministry added that the ultimate goal of the new regulation is a single, unified set of rules across the EU. Estonia also says it will continue developing its own producer responsibility registry and push for European national registries to interconnect.
