From packaging for fruit, vegetables, and beverages to hotel toiletries, the measures against single-use plastics included in the packaging decree approved by the Italian Senate affect a wide range of products. Effective August 8, these measures aim to ensure that specific types of single-use plastic packaging placed on the market meet standards regarding biodegradability and compostability.
The objectives include protecting the environment and natural resources, reducing the environmental impact of single-use plastics, and promoting a circular economy. The decree still awaits final approval from the Chamber of Deputies to become law.
What's New?
The process of transposing the decree into law-having been approved by the Council of Ministers on Tuesday, August 4, and published in the Official Gazette on August 7-began in the first half of September when the text was submitted to the Environment Committee. The deadline for final approval is set for October 6, 2026.
Stricter Standards
The legislative text tightens the standards that single-use plastic packaging must meet when first placed on the domestic market. Specifically, in addition to complying with the specifications and permitted uses under the EU's PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation)-which comes into force in February 2025-the packaging must be certified by an accredited body as meeting European standards for biodegradability and compostability.
The government aims to comply with EU regulations without harming the industry. The decree also seeks to support industrial innovation and competitiveness among companies in the compostable bioplastics sector and to foster production and technological innovation in the field of compostable packaging.
Single-Use Plastics
First, single-use plastic packaging used for pre-packaged fresh fruit and vegetables weighing less than 1.5 kg must meet biodegradability and compostability standards. This also applies to packaging containing food and beverages intended for on-site consumption within the hotel, restaurant, and catering (HoReCa) sectors.
In the HoReCa sector, packaging containing single-serving condiments-including jams, sauces, coffee creamers, and sugar-must also comply with the new regulations. However, exceptions apply to: condiments supplied with ready-to-eat takeaway food that require no further preparation before consumption, and condiments used to ensure safety and hygiene in facilities such as hospitals, clinics, or nursing homes.
Finally, the measures stipulated in the new decree apply to single-use flexible packaging for cosmetics and hygiene products provided by the hospitality industry to tourists and travelers-packaging intended solely for personal use and discarded before the arrival of the next guest.
Violations
Violations of the new regulations are subject to fines ranging from €2,500 to €25,000, effective January 1, 2030. Administrative penalties apply when statutory limits are exceeded, including in cases involving declarations of conformity or other misleading or evasive statements. If the value of the packaging involved in the violation exceeds 10% of the violator's turnover, the fine may be increased to up to four times the maximum limit.
