The Danish timber industry is warning of significant financial strain following the introduction of new packaging regulations, which came into effect on 1 January as part of the EU's packaging directive.

According to the Danish Wood Packaging Association (DTE), the rules on extended producer responsibility place the cost burden on manufacturers whose names or logos appear on packaging, even when customers dictate the design and specifications. DTE argues this "uneven" implementation could cost the sector over DKK 60 million annually, with pallet prices expected to rise by around 20%.

Christian Bisgaard Jensen, CEO of Dansk Træemballage, stated that the current framework is "neither fair nor efficient", warning it risks penalising recyclable and reusable solutions while imports often escape similar costs. The association also criticised the fee structure, claiming it relies on outdated data and fails to differentiate between clean, recyclable wood and mixed wood waste, unnecessarily inflating costs and threatening Danish jobs.

DTE is calling for reforms to align payment with design responsibility, adjust fees based on environmental impact, and ensure imported packaging is subject to the same standards. Without changes, the industry warns of higher prices, reduced competitiveness, and increased bureaucracy.
 

Source:  DTE