Romania takes too small steps in the implementation of the deposit return system for beverage packaging

Today we have a contribution from our fellow food lawyer Toma Barbarasa, from Bucharest, now principal at his own firm, about the upcoming deposit return scheme in Romania. The article is a confirmation of the increasing regulatory complexity and fragmentation, deriving from the implementation of schemes for the recycling and recovery of packaging across the EU Member States.

The Romanian Government has recently approved the appointment of the administrator of the deposit return system (“DRS”) for beverage packaging. This appointment was much awaited by the industry since the system should become mandatory as from October 1, 2022 (“Due Date”), in line with Government Decision no. 1074/2021 (the “Decision”). However, there are still a lot of uncertainties regarding the system and the effective implementation thereof is yet to start.

The DRS shall be applicable to non-reusable primary packaging made of glass, plastic or metal, with volumes ranging from 0.1 L to 3L (inclusive), used for beer and mixes thereof, alcoholic beverage mixes, cider, other fermented beverages, juices, nectars, soft drinks, mineral waters and drinking waters of all kinds, wines and spirits placed on the national market. The system imposes a warranty to be paid by consumers…