Royal Decree 1055/2022 on packaging and packaging waste

Royal Decree 1055/2022 of 27 December governs the management of packaging and packaging waste in Spain, transposing EU rules into national law.

Its purpose is to prevent and reduce the environmental impact of packaging throughout its life cycle, promoting prevention, reuse, recycling and other forms of recovery.

It is a key piece of legislation under the Law 7/2022 on waste and contaminated soil for a circular economy, and it transposes Directive 94/62/EC and its amendments (notably Directive (EU) 2018/852).

Main objectives

1. Prevent the generation of packaging waste.
2. Promote the reuse and recyclability of packaging.
3. Reduce the consumption of single-use packaging, especially plastic.
4. Improve separate collection and high-quality recycling.
5. Strengthen extended producer responsibility (EPR).

Scope of application

The Royal Decree applies to:

• All packaging placed on the Spanish market (household, commercial and industrial).
• All the economic operators involved: manufacturers, distributors, retailers, consumers and waste managers.

Main obligations

For producers and packers

• Registration in the Register of Producers of Products.
• Designing packaging according to ecodesign and recyclability criteria.
• Meeting reuse and recycling targets.
• Financing waste management through extended producer responsibility schemes.

For distributors and retailers

• Offering reusable alternatives in certain sectors.
• Providing clear information to consumers on packaging management.

For consumers

• Returning packaging through the available systems.
• Taking part in separate collection through bins and return systems.

Specific measures on plastics

The decree sets binding targets to separately collect single-use plastic bottles: 70% by 2023, 77% by 2025, 85% by 2027 and 90% by 2029 (by weight of the bottles placed on the market). If the 2023 or 2027 targets are not met nationally, a deposit return scheme (DRS) must be introduced across the whole country within two years.

Spain did not reach the 2023 target, which legally triggered the obligation to roll out a nationwide deposit return scheme. As a result, a DRS for single-use beverage bottles, cans and cartons is being implemented, with the legal deadline falling around the end of 2026.

Packaging management systems

1. Collective extended producer responsibility schemes (SCRAP), such as Ecoembes (lightweight packaging) and Ecovidrio (glass).
2. Deposit return scheme (SDDR), foreseen where collection targets are not met.
3. Individual systems, for companies that manage their own packaging under administrative authorisation.

Related legislation

• Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste.
• Directive (EU) 2018/852, which amends it.
• Law 7/2022 on waste and contaminated soil.
• Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste (PPWR), the new EU regulation that progressively applies from August 2026 and will further harmonise packaging rules across the EU.

Expected benefits

Environmental

• Less littering in public spaces and natural areas.
• Higher recycling rates for plastic, metal and glass packaging.
• A boost to reuse in key sectors.

Economic

• Job creation in collection, recycling and reuse.
• Savings in street cleaning and waste management.
• Business opportunities in ecodesign and alternative materials.

Social

• Greater public awareness of responsible consumption.
• More confidence in waste management in Spain.

Link to the circular economy

Royal Decree 1055/2022 is one of the pillars of Spain's transition towards a circular economy: it prioritises prevention and reuse over recycling, introduces ecodesign and transparency obligations, and reinforces extended producer responsibility as a key tool.

For companies, it represents a challenge, as they must adapt to new obligations, but also an opportunity to innovate in materials, design and circular business models. For consumers, it opens the door to a more responsible model of consumption.

At Manglai we help companies measure their carbon footprint and assess the environmental impact of packaging and waste management. Discover how Manglai can help you.