{"id":10050,"date":"2025-10-13T08:00:37","date_gmt":"2025-10-13T05:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/packaging-regulations-in-africa-2025-updates\/"},"modified":"2025-10-22T10:25:54","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T07:25:54","slug":"packaging-regulations-in-africa-2025-updates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/packaging-regulations-in-africa-2025-updates\/","title":{"rendered":"Packaging Regulations in Africa: 2025 Updates"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Governments across Africa have introduced a wave of new packaging regulations in 2025, focusing on extended producer responsibility (EPR), bans on single-use plastics, and harmonization of technical standards. These measures aim to reduce waste, encourage recycling, and align national policies with international trade requirements. This article highlights the most recent developments, from Kenya\u2019s EPR rollout and Egypt\u2019s levy on plastic bags to Ethiopia and Nigeria\u2019s plastic ban and the East African Community\u2019s new packaging standards.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"cursor:pointer\">TABLE OF CONTENTS<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/packaging-regulations-in-africa-2025-updates\/#Nigeria_Enforces_Single-Use_Plastic_Ban\" >Nigeria Enforces Single-Use Plastic Ban<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/packaging-regulations-in-africa-2025-updates\/#Ethiopia_Phases_Out_Single-Use_Plastics\" >Ethiopia Phases Out Single-Use Plastics<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/packaging-regulations-in-africa-2025-updates\/#Kenya_Implements_Broad_Packaging_Regulations\" >Kenya Implements Broad Packaging Regulations<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/packaging-regulations-in-africa-2025-updates\/#Ghana_Targets_Styrofoam_Containers\" >Ghana Targets Styrofoam Containers<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/packaging-regulations-in-africa-2025-updates\/#Egypt_Launches_EPR_Scheme_for_Plastic_Bags\" >Egypt Launches EPR Scheme for Plastic Bags<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/packaging-regulations-in-africa-2025-updates\/#East_Africa_Introduces_New_Packaging_Standards\" >East Africa Introduces New Packaging Standards<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/packaging-regulations-in-africa-2025-updates\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Nigeria_Enforces_Single-Use_Plastic_Ban\"><\/span><strong>Nigeria Enforces Single-Use Plastic Ban<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Beginning January 2025, Nigeria enacted a nationwide <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2024\/dec\/24\/single-use-plastic-banned-nigeria-is-country-ready\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">ban<\/a> on <strong>plastic straws, cutlery, sachets, bottles, and expanded polystyrene<\/strong>, with local authorities already phasing out single-use plastics throughout 2024. While the ban was announced in June 2024, there were also concerns about public not being ready for such a wide-reaching shift.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ethiopia_Phases_Out_Single-Use_Plastics\"><\/span><strong>Ethiopia Phases Out Single-Use Plastics<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">On June 2, 2025, Ethiopia\u2019s <strong>House of People\u2019s Representatives<\/strong> has unanimously <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=1613069662862693&amp;id=100024790245135&amp;set=a.736298743873127\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">passed<\/a> <strong>Proclamation No. 1383\/2017<\/strong>, banning the <strong>import, production, and use of single-use plastic materials<\/strong> as part of broader solid waste management reforms. The regulation, approved during the House\u2019s 33rd regular session, targets <strong>plastic bags thinner than 0.03 millimeters<\/strong>, as well as <strong>bottles, straws, and wrappers<\/strong>, citing their harmful impact on the environment and public health.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Kenya_Implements_Broad_Packaging_Regulations\"><\/span><strong>Kenya Implements Broad Packaging Regulations<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kenya\u2019s <a href=\"http:\/\/kenyalaw.org\/kl\/fileadmin\/pdfdownloads\/LegalNotices\/2024\/LN176_2024.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><strong>Sustainable Waste Management Act (Legal Notice No. 176 of 2024)<\/strong><\/a> became effective on May 5, 2025, requiring EPR compliance across packaging and other products. Producers must now ensure responsible collection and recycling throughout the full product lifecycle.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In addition, under <a href=\"https:\/\/new.kenyalaw.org\/akn\/ke\/act\/ln\/2024\/181\/eng@2024-12-06\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><strong>Legal Notice No. 181 of 2024<\/strong><\/a>, plastic packaging must feature <strong>producer details, resin codes, and recycled content percentages<\/strong> before it can be manufactured, imported or distributed.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-10052 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Packaging-Regulations-in-Africa-2025-Updates-1024x576.png\" alt=\"Packaging Regulations in Africa 2025 Updates\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Packaging-Regulations-in-Africa-2025-Updates-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Packaging-Regulations-in-Africa-2025-Updates-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Packaging-Regulations-in-Africa-2025-Updates-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Packaging-Regulations-in-Africa-2025-Updates.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ghana_Targets_Styrofoam_Containers\"><\/span><strong>Ghana Targets Styrofoam Containers<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">During World Environment Day celebrations on June 5, 2025, Ghana\u2019s President John Dramani Mahama <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chemanalyst.com\/NewsAndDeals\/NewsDetails\/ghana-president-declares-nationwide-ban-on-styrofoam-promotes-37250\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">revealed<\/a> plans to ban the <strong>import, manufacture, and use of polystyrene foam containers<\/strong> for food.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Egypt_Launches_EPR_Scheme_for_Plastic_Bags\"><\/span><strong>Egypt Launches EPR Scheme for Plastic Bags<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Egypt <a href=\"https:\/\/aoye.org\/en\/2025\/03\/10\/egypt-implements-extended-producer-responsibility-epr-for-shopping-bags-to-combat-plastic-risks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">introduced<\/a> an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for plastic shopping bags on March 2, 2025. Under <strong>Prime Minister\u2019s Decree No. 662 of 2025<\/strong>, producers and importers must report sales, track production, and pay <strong>EGP 37.5 per kilogram<\/strong> of plastic sold domestically to fund collection and safe disposal.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"East_Africa_Introduces_New_Packaging_Standards\"><\/span><strong>East Africa Introduces New Packaging Standards<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The East African Community (EAC), comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, notified the World Trade Organization in April and May 2025 of several packaging-related specifications. These include standards for <strong>plastic cups (<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rsb.gov.rw\/fileadmin\/user_upload\/DEAS_1256_2024.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><strong>DEAS 1256:2024<\/strong><\/a><strong>)<\/strong> and <strong>paper-aluminium foil laminate for packaging (<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/members.wto.org\/crnattachments\/2025\/TBT\/KEN\/25_02831_00_e.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><strong>DEAS 1259:2025<\/strong><\/a><strong>)<\/strong>, with each setting out requirements and test methods.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The first half of 2025 has brought sweeping packaging policy changes across Africa. Countries including Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Ghana are phasing out single-use plastics, while Kenya and Egypt expand EPR requirements. Meanwhile, the East African Community advances regional packaging standards, moving closer to EU alignment. Together, these shifts point toward a stricter and more harmonized regulatory environment for packaging across the region.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Governments across Africa have introduced a wave of new packaging regulations in 2025, focusing on extended producer responsibility (EPR), bans on single-use plastics, and harmonization of technical standards. These measures aim to reduce waste, encourage recycling, and align national policies with international trade requirements. This article highlights the most recent developments, from Kenya\u2019s EPR rollout&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":10047,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28,545,540],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10050","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-en","category-packaging-legislation-en","category-regulations-policy-en","category-28","category-545","category-540","description-off"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10050","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10050"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10050\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10065,"href":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10050\/revisions\/10065"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10047"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10050"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10050"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10050"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}