Italy introduces compostability rule for packaging

The decree amends Italy's Environmental Code to add a compostability requirement for specific packaging categories — packaging for fresh fruit and vegetables, catering and food-service packaging, and single-portion packaging. The rules pre-empt provisions of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which becomes applicable on 12 August 2026, and are intended to protect Italy's compostable-bioplastics supply chain.

Italy's Council of Ministers adopted the decree-law on 4 August 2026 together with the transposition of several EU directives. Like any decree-law it must be converted into law by parliament within 60 days, otherwise it lapses retroactively. Update (15 September 2026): The decree is numbered 143 of 7 August 2026 ('Disposizioni urgenti in materia di obbligo di compostabilità di determinate tipologie di imballaggi'). The conversion procedure is under way; on 15 September 2026 the Italian municipalities association ANCI filed amendments to the conversion bill aimed at the crisis in the post-consumer plastics recycling chain and at protecting municipalities from consequences not of their making (ANCI Puglia, 15 Sep 2026). Update (23.09.2026): The Senate approved the decree on 23.09.2026; the Chamber of Deputies must now pass it by 06.10.2026. The text as amended in the environment committee allows certain single-use plastic packaging — such as for pre-packed fresh fruit and vegetables under 1.5 kg and for food and drink served in hospitality and catering — if certified as biodegradable and compostable; single-use plastic plates remain banned (Radiocor via Borsa Italiana, 23.09.2026: https://www.borsaitaliana.it/borsa/notizie/radiocor/economia/dettaglio/dl-imballaggi-via-libera-dell-aula-del-senato-passa-alla-camera-nRC_23092026_1903_644117137.html). Update (01.10.2026): The Chamber of Deputies gave final approval to converting decree 143/2026 into law in the version amended by the Senate (178 in favour, 57 against, 79 abstentions); the compostability requirement, applied since 8 August 2026, thus remains in force permanently (Quotidianopiù, 1 Oct 2026).