Regulatory & Policy

Manufacturers, importers, and other entities have until 31 December 2026 to withdraw affected products or modify them to meet the new requirements.

Industry and Trade Minister Judith Kapinga stressed that tackling plastic waste needs a surgical approach, as blanket shutdowns could harm local manufacturers, cut government revenue, and cause mass job losses.

The TRQ framework cuts or phases out tariffs on set import volumes, letting domestic manufacturers source key raw materials at lower or zero duty.

The green RAM rating is a key UK market differentiator, as packaging producers must prove recyclability to lower EPR costs and dodge penalties.

The protection-seeking decision comes as Turkish packaging makers struggle with high energy costs and a weak lira, which have raised raw material import prices and squeezed sector margins.

The Commission clarifies that packaging produced and in stock but not placed on the market by 12 August 2026 does not need to be destroyed, remanufactured, or re-labeled.

These certifications serve as official proof that the business meets international quality, safety, and efficiency standards, boosting credibility with customers, financial institutions, development partners, regulators, and other global stakeholders.

The association: future rules must be based on life cycle evidence and system impacts, not material assumptions.

Across the Middle East and Africa, the packaging industry moved from ambition to action with a velocity that caught even seasoned observers off guard, policy…

If paired with affordable sustainable alternatives and proper enforcement, the broader ban would improve waste collection, recycling, and public education, while cutting plastic pollution and creating cleaner cities.