Joining the deposit return scheme entails a range of obligations. Failures in this area may result in administrative fines or penalty charges for the producer. Below is a practical checklist of the five most important obligations for a producer placing beverages in packaging covered by the scheme on the market:
- Achieving the minimum separate collection targets for packaging
Producers should achieve the following minimum separate collection rates for packaging covered by the deposit return scheme:
77% in 2025–2028
90% from 2029.
Failure to achieve the minimum separate collection rates will result in a product fee, payable in equal shares of 50% by the producer and the operator.
- Performing the obligations under the agreement with the scheme operator
Proper performance of the agreement with the scheme operator is crucial for the producer. This makes it particularly important to make an informed choice of an operator offering the most favourable commercial terms.
- Correctly labelling packaging
The marking on each package must meet the statutory requirements and comply with the applicable design.
- Keeping detailed records
Producers should expand their existing packaging records to include the number and capacity of packages covered by the scheme, broken down into PET bottles, metal cans and glass bottles. Records must be retained in written or electronic form for five years from the end of the year to which they relate.
- Providing data to the operator
Producers should provide operators with the data needed to fulfil obligations under the deposit return scheme, including information on the packaging covered by the scheme that they have placed on the market. Failure to meet these reporting obligations is punishable by a fine of up to PLN 1,000,000.
Would you like to understand the full legal context of these obligations? All the details are available in our main guide: The deposit return scheme in Poland – a guide for business.
