EN

Milk and dairy products packaging back in the deposit system

29.06.2021.

After 1 July 2021, single-use packaging holding milk and dairy products placed on the market in the Republic of Croatia has to be marked with the GTIN code under the GS1 standard and with the deposit system label.
 
The consumer is entitled to a refund of the deposit fee from the seller or person managing the civic amenity site only for the waste packaging bearing the deposit system label.
 
Sellers must not charge the deposit fee to the consumers for the single-use PET, Al/Fe and glass packaging holding milk and liquid dairy products not marked with the deposit system label.
 
Single-use PET, Al/Fe and glass packaging for milk and liquid dairy products that is from 1 July 2021 included in the deposit system, and which has been placed on the Croatian market with no deposit system label, will not have to be withdrawn from the market and can be sold until the stocks last. This means that the shops will offer on their shelves milk and liquid dairy products both with the GTIN code and without it.

Milk and liquid dairy products in single-use packaging included in the deposit system can be returned only manually so that this waste packaging can be visually inspected for the deposit system label.
 
To inform the consumers, the Fund prepared information flyer that the sellers and civic amenity sites are obliged to put up in a visible place at the entrance, and at the place where they accept returnable waste packaging.
 
In relation to the prohibition of single-use plastics pursuant to Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment, this has to be legally regulated. The act is still pending, and it is not known when this matter will be regulated.