Packaging regulation is accelerating globally, reshaping cost structures, operational models, and material choices. With more than 60 markets introducing new frameworks and over €20 billion in annual EPR-related costs in Europe alone, policy is no longer a compliance topic—it is a core business driver.

The Coalition’s Policy pillar focuses on helping companies anticipate, align with, and shape key regulations, starting with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). EPR is becoming the backbone of packaging policy worldwide, requiring companies to finance the collection, sorting, and recycling of packaging. However, fragmented implementation across countries is creating inefficiencies, cost volatility, and operational complexity.

Through pre-competitive collaboration, Coalition member discuss what “optimal” EPR systems could look like. This includes clear design principles, effective governance models, and the role of ecomodulation in incentivising better packaging decisions. By developing shared guidance, such as global EPR principles and practical recommendations for low- and middle-income countries, the Coalition provides a common reference point for both individual private companies and policymakers.

Beyond EPR, the pillar expands to broader regulatory developments, recycled content requirements, chemical recycling, and emerging global frameworks. The objective is twofold: reduce compliance costs by avoiding fragmented approaches, and ensure regulation remains operationally feasible and scalable.

Members engage in two ways: staying informed through structured policy intelligence and voluntarily participating in targeted initiatives. The result is faster adaptation, reduced regulatory risk, and a stronger voice advocating for how policy translates into business reality.