{"id":3658,"date":"2025-09-11T14:04:19","date_gmt":"2025-09-11T14:04:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emballageretur.dk\/?p=3658"},"modified":"2025-09-18T13:29:59","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T13:29:59","slug":"government-cuts-producer-responsibility-fees-here-is-the-overview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emballageretur.dk\/en\/government-cuts-producer-responsibility-fees-here-is-the-overview\/","title":{"rendered":"The government cuts producer responsibility fees: Here is the overview"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row el_class=”container big” el_id=”blog-hdr” css=”.vc_custom_1757599587947{background-image: url(https:\/\/emballageretur.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Billede2.jpg?id=3654) !important;}”][vc_column][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” el_class=”wrapper”][vc_column_inner animation_in_type=”transition.slideUpBigIn” animation_in_offset=”100″ animation_in_duration=”500″ animation_in_delay=”0″][vc_custom_heading text=”The government cuts producer responsibility fees: Here is the overview” font_container=”tag:h1|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=”container” el_id=”blog-content”][vc_column][vc_row_inner el_class=”wrapper”][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”News” font_container=”tag:p|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes” el_class=”label”][vc_custom_heading source=”post_title” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_custom_heading text=”Date: September 11th 2025″ font_container=”tag:div|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes” el_class=”manchet”][vc_column_text]\n

Minister for the Environment Magnus Heunicke has announced that the government will cut the fees related to packaging producer responsibility. Several of the solutions proposed by Emballageretur have been included. Read on to get the full overview.<\/h3>\n

After months of debate, negotiations, and calls for political intervention, a decision has now been made on a series of changes designed to make producer responsibility both simpler \u2013 and cheaper \u2013 for Danish businesses.<\/p>\n

The aim is to keep producer fees down and ensure they do not exceed the level originally set when the government, back in 2022, entered into the political agreement to implement the EU Packaging Directive on extended producer responsibility in Danish law.<\/p>\n

For years, Emballageretur has actively worked to safeguard the interests of its members in creating a cost-effective producer responsibility scheme \u2013 including during the final stages of this process \u2013 and we welcome these changes.<\/p>\n

The new framework not only brings financial relief for Danish companies but also provides clear confirmation that our long-standing expertise and professional arguments have been heard.<\/p>\n

We are particularly pleased to see that several of the solutions we have proposed over the years in preparation for the implementation of producer responsibility are now part of the agreement.<\/p>\n

Here is an overview of the changes.<\/p>\n

MUNICIPALITIES MUST REDUCE THEIR FEES<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The municipal costs for collecting packaging have been a major point in the debate \u2013 and are also one of the most central elements in the new political proposal.<\/p>\n

The Ministry of Environment originally estimated that municipalities\u2019 costs amounted to DKK 1.6 billion annually, out of a total of DKK 3.1 billion. Under the new proposal, municipalities may only charge the producer responsibility organisations DKK 1.2 billion \u2013 with a political ambition to reduce this further to DKK 1 billion.<\/p>\n

This requirement is a confirmation that the criticism we have raised since 2023 is now being taken seriously, and that our members can look forward to lower costs.<\/p>\n

At the same time, producer fees will be divided into instalments and temporarily reduced, with four instalments of DKK 250 million each to be collected before 1 October 2026, supplemented by an additional charge of up to DKK 200 million spread over a four-year period.<\/p>\n

A COMMON CALCULATION MODEL FOR MUNICIPALITIES<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Another key point of criticism has been the municipalities\u2019 varying pricing for packaging collection. These price differences were partly due to the lack of common guidelines.<\/p>\n

With the new framework, a common calculation model will now be developed.<\/p>\n

This is yet another solution that Emballageretur has long advocated for, partly because we believe that a common pricing structure is an important element in creating a uniform service level across municipalities. We consider a common service level to be crucial in ensuring a fair solution.<\/p>\n

We are therefore pleased that a shared guideline is now becoming a reality.<\/p>\n

PREPAYMENT TO MUNICIPALITIES IS MAINTAINED<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The prepayment to municipalities is maintained \u2013 fully in line with the intention of the law and our interpretation of it.<\/p>\n

The prepayment ensures that the producer responsibility organisations can cover municipal collection costs from day one. Having this once again confirmed in the political framework is an important validation of the approach Emballageretur has taken by charging advance contributions.<\/p>\n

By following this model, we have been able to shield our members from unnecessary financial uncertainty and deliver competitive prices.<\/p>\n

The good news is that the new framework for municipal pricing means that the conditions for advance contributions will now change for the better for our members.<\/p>\n

The exact details will be sent to all members in a separate information email.<\/p>\n

THE PACKAGING LEVY IS BEING ABOLISHED<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The government has decided to phase out the volume-based packaging tax in 2026 and 2027.<\/p>\n

This means that an old tax will disappear at the same time as the new producer responsibility comes into effect. This helps ensure that the overall cost for businesses does not exceed the level set in the original 2022 political agreement.<\/p>\n

In total, this will provide businesses with financial relief of up to DKK 250 million over the two years.<\/p>\n

THE START OF PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY IS NOT POSTPONED<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The start date of 1 October will not be postponed.<\/p>\n

Many businesses and stakeholders have asked for more time. Implementation is complex, and many new systems and processes need to be established. We fully understand this.<\/p>\n

But producer responsibility has already been postponed twice. Further delay would only mean pushing the problems further ahead.<\/p>\n

That is why we at Emballageretur welcome the government\u2019s decision to stand firm on the start date. This provides the necessary clarity so all stakeholders can align with a single deadline.<\/p>\n

The task now is to make the system work in practice and achieve the original goals of producer responsibility: reducing packaging waste and increasing recycling.<\/p>\n

PUBLIC FEES TO BE REVISED<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The administrative fees charged by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and DPA will be revised.<\/p>\n

OTHER CHANGES<\/strong><\/h3>\n