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EPR in Belgium: Fost Plus, Valipac and the 300 kg threshold
Last checked · 4 min read
EPR in Belgium catches many Dutch sellers out. Where the Netherlands only asks for a packaging declaration from 50,000 kilograms, Belgium applies a take-back obligation from 300 kilograms a year. And a seller without a Belgian establishment who delivers to Belgian customers through bol must, according to bol, appoint an authorised representative in Belgium.
- +Place more than 300 kg of single-use packaging on the Belgian market per year and the take-back obligation applies. You usually meet it through Fost Plus (household packaging) and Valipac (commercial packaging).
- +Below 300 kg an information obligation towards the Interregional Packaging Commission (IVCIE) remains.
- +Electronics: Recupel. Batteries: Bebat.
- +Foreign sellers delivering to Belgian customers through bol must, according to bol, appoint an authorised representative in Belgium.
Why Belgium differs from the Netherlands
To a webshop, Belgium and the Netherlands can look like one market: the same language in Flanders, the same bol, the same carriers. For EPR they are two very different countries. Belgian packaging rules are set in a cooperation agreement between the three regions, supervised by the Interregional Packaging Commission (IVCIE). The threshold is far lower than the Dutch 50,000 kg.
Packaging: the 300 kg threshold
Until 12 August 2026, whoever placed packaged products on the Belgian market was called the packaging responsible party; since then Belgium, too, uses the EU term producer from the PPWR. Place more than 300 kilograms of single-use packaging on the market per year, household and commercial together, and a take-back obligation applies: you must ensure a set share is collected and recycled. In practice you do that by joining an approved organisation:
| Packaging type | Organisation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Household | Fost Plus | Product packaging and shipping boxes to consumers |
| Commercial | Valipac | Outer cartons, pallets and film in B2B deliveries |
Below 300 kg the take-back obligation lapses, but an information obligation remains: you report to the IVCIE how much packaging, and of what kind, you placed on the market. Check with the IVCIE exactly what that means for you.
Fost Plus members declare once a year in the MyFost portal, by 28 February, for the previous year's packaging. The minimum contribution is 100 euros a year. Filing late risks a fine of 1 percent of the previous contribution per month of delay. See also the deadlines per country.
Selling to Belgian customers from abroad?
Then you are the responsible party for the packaging that reaches your Belgian customers, even when you sell through bol or Amazon. bol requires sellers based outside Belgium to appoint, by written power of attorney, an authorised representative in Belgium who takes on their legal responsibilities, before they offer products in Belgium.
Electronics and batteries: Recupel and Bebat
For electrical and electronic equipment you join Recupel, for batteries Bebat. Both charge a contribution on what you place on the market and ask for periodic declarations. More in the guides on electronics and batteries.
Checklist for Belgium
- 1Calculate how many kilograms of packaging you deliver to Belgian customers per year, household and commercial together.
- 2Above 300 kg: join Fost Plus and, if you deliver B2B, Valipac. Below 300 kg: meet the information obligation with the IVCIE.
- 3If you sell electronics or batteries: join Recupel and Bebat.
- 4Appoint an authorised representative in Belgium if you have no establishment there and sell through bol.
- 5Declare your quantities periodically and record the packaging weight per material for each product. See calculating packaging weight.
Frequently asked questions
From how many kilograms must I join Fost Plus?
The take-back obligation applies from 300 kg of single-use packaging per year, household and commercial together. Household packaging goes through Fost Plus, commercial packaging through Valipac.
What is the difference between Fost Plus and Valipac?
Fost Plus covers household packaging, which ends up in consumers' homes. Valipac covers commercial packaging, such as outer cartons, pallets and film in deliveries to businesses.
What is the IVCIE?
The Interregional Packaging Commission, which supervises Belgium's packaging rules. Responsible parties below the 300 kg threshold have an information obligation towards the IVCIE.
Do I need a Belgian representative as a Dutch bol seller?
According to bol, yes, if you have no establishment in Belgium and sell to Belgian customers. The representative takes on your legal responsibilities in Belgium.
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This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules, thresholds and deadlines are set by the schemes themselves and they change. Check what applies to your situation with the scheme or an adviser.