On June 14th 2018 Directive EU/2018/852 was published in the Official Journal of the European Union, thus amending Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste.

The list of the amending acts presented in the following table:

Directive 1994/62 on packaging and packaging waste (frame regulation)

Directive 2004/12 amending Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste

Directive 2005/20 amending Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste (extension of deadlines for the attainment of the recycling and recovery targets for the Member States acceding the EU in 2004)

Regulation 219/2009 adapting a number of instruments subject to the procedure referred to in Article 251 of the Treaty to Council Decision 1999/468/EC with regard to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny

Directive 2013/2 amending Annex I to Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste

Directive 2015/720 amending Directive 94/62/EC as regards the consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags

Directive 2018/852 amending Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste

This amendment is part of the European Union's framework regarding circular economy and entered into force on 4th of July 2018. Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by 5 July 2020.

According to the new regulation no later than 31 December 2025 a minimum of 65 % by weight of all packaging waste will be recycled. No later than 31 December 2025 the following minimum targets by weight for recycling will be met regarding the following specific materials contained in packaging waste:

50 % of plastic;

25 % of wood;

70 % of ferrous metals;

50 % of aluminium;

70 % of glass;

75 % of paper and cardboard;

Also no later than 31 December 2030 a minimum of 70 % by weight of all packaging waste will be recycled and no later than 31 December 2030 the following minimum targets by weight for recycling will be met regarding the following specific materials contained in packaging waste:

55 % of plastic;

30 % of wood;

80 % of ferrous metals;

60 % of aluminium;

75 % of glass;

85 % of paper and cardboard.

AGMPM members and associates received a consolidated version of 1994/62 and the new regulation 2018/852 as well as the list of penalties imposed to the violators of the Greek packaging laws 2931/2001 (ΦΕΚ 179/Α/06-08-2001) and 4497/2017 (ΦΕΚ 170/8-11-2017).