Egypt is advancing plans to implement an Extended Producer Responsibility system, with priority packaging materials set to form part of the first phase and producers and importers required to report packaging volumes placed on the Egyptian market.

Egypt is moving towards the implementation of an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system as part of its wider efforts to strengthen waste management and support the country’s transition towards a circular economy.

The development was reviewed during a meeting between Dr Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development and Environment, and Yasser Abdullah, CEO of the Waste Management Regulatory Authority (WMRA). The discussions covered the executive measures required to implement EPR nationally under Egypt’s Waste Management Law No. 202 of 2020.

According to the government announcement, the electronic platform supporting the EPR system is ready for launch through Egypt’s National System for Waste Information and Data Management (WIMS).

The platform will enable producers and importers to register and disclose the quantities of packaging materials they place on the Egyptian market. Awad has called for the registration process to be simplified to facilitate participation and encourage compliance with the scheme’s requirements.

Packaging is expected to have a significant role in the initial implementation. The government said materials for the first phase have been identified following consultations with private-sector companies and other stakeholders, with priority packaging materials among the principal categories.

Studies of the value chains associated with these materials were also reviewed. The government expects the programme to contribute to reducing waste sent to landfill, strengthening circular-economy practices and supporting employment within the recycling sector.

Commenting on the programme, Awad said the introduction of EPR represented “an important step at both the environmental and economic levels”, reflecting the commitment of the state and industrial sector to sustainable development and improved management of materials and waste. The quotation is translated from the original Arabic government report.

Abdullah said discussions had also addressed the transition from the legislative framework to detailed implementation. According to the government report, a Prime Ministerial decision will define the products covered by the system, producer obligations, applicable fees and the roles and responsibilities of the authorities involved ahead of implementation.

The move builds on earlier work by Egyptian authorities on an EPR framework specifically covering packaging materials. In October 2025, WMRA held consultations on a draft decision for packaging EPR with representatives of the private sector and development partners.

Egypt’s official WIMS portal now includes a dedicated EPR service, describing the framework as requiring producers and importers to take responsibility for managing waste arising from their products after use.