From the reference year 2025 (reporting year 2026), you will need to distinguish between transparent and coloured flexible plastics in your annual report to Valipac. This change will not affect the 2025 rate. However, the rate for the reference year 2026 (reporting year 2027) will be increased.
To help you prepare for this change, we are sharing some useful information on the subject.
Transparent flexible plastics
Coloured flexible plastics
FAQ
A transparent flexible plastic is translucent, does not contain any added pigments but may have a slightly milky appearance due to the plastic used. A coloured flexible plastic contains pigments or dyes that give it a visible colour (blue, black, green, etc.). Exceptions are flexible plastics containing recycled content, which may have a “green-grey” tint.
Coloured flexible plastics are technically recyclable, but more difficult to integrate into a circular economy: after processing, they produce dark granules that can only be used for low-value applications (such as garbage bags or construction tarpaulins), unlike transparent flexible plastics, which can be reused to make new transparent packaging.
In addition, a large amount of coloured flexible plastics has been exported outside Europe, mainly to non-OECD countries. However, from November 2026, these exports will be banned, which will put pressure on local recycling and make it more expensive. This means that the value of these plastics will drop significantly, possibly even becoming negative, and that processing costs will rise. To anticipate these additional costs and encourage companies to use more circular packaging, Valipac is adjusting its financial contribution: coloured flexible plastics, which are more expensive to recycle in Europe, will be subject to a higher contribution.
This approach is intended to encourage the use of transparent flexible plastics and support the transition to more sustainable and circular management of commercial and industrial plastic packaging.
A flexible plastic printed with a logo or any other imprint is considered non-transparent within the meaning of the Valipac reporting.
From the 2026 report (reference year 2025) onwards, you must report the quantities of transparent and coloured flexible plastics separately. By the end of this year, we will provide you with instructions and tools to help you make this distinction in your report.
The new rules apply exclusively to flexible plastic packaging, regardless of its form of use — whether it is pallet wrap, top or interlayer sheets, tubular film, (raw material) bags or other similar applications.
There will be no impact on the rate for the reference year 2025. However, from 2026 onwards, the contribution for coloured flexible plastics will be increased.
The increase in the contribution for coloured flexible plastics will take effect from the reference year 2026.
Valipac offers a personalised advisory service to help you identify alternatives that are suitable for your activities and optimise your packaging in light of the new regulations.
The report concerns all commercial and industrial flexible plastic packaging put on the Belgian market, regardless of whether the goods were produced by you or imported.