East Africa's packaging regulations have changed fundamentally, and the deadlines are not approaching. For many businesses, they have already passed.

In Kenya, two regulations are now fully in force. Under Legal Notice No. 176 of 2024, Kenya's Extended Producer Responsibility framework took effect on 5 May 2025, requiring all producers and importers of packaging to take full responsibility for their products through to collection and recycling. The EPR framework applies broadly across packaging, electrical goods, batteries, rubber, diapers, and end-of-life vehicles. Any business placing goods on the Kenyan market, whether locally manufactured or imported, falls within its scope.

Under Legal Notice 181 of 2024, all plastic packaging must now carry the following before it can be manufactured, imported, or sold: Resin Identification Codes indicating the plastic type (for example, PET, HDPE, or PP), the producer's name and contact details, and the percentage of recycled content where the packaging is made from recycled material. Packaging must also be clearly marked as recyclable or non-recyclable. PVC and polystyrene are classified as non-recyclable under the regulations. As a practical example, a flexible plastic pouch used for a food product sold in Kenya must now carry all of the above information visibly on the packaging before it can legally enter the market.

Businesses that package products in flexible plastics but do not manufacture the packaging themselves were required to renew their Plastic Clearance Licences with NEMA by 30 August 2025. Annual compliance reports must be submitted to NEMA by 31 January each year.

In Ethiopia, the nationwide ban on single-use plastic bags came into full enforcement on 31 January 2026, following the expiry of a six-month grace period under the Solid Waste Management Law adopted in July 2025. For commercial actors, including manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers, penalties range from Br50,000 to Br200,000 (US$322 to US$1,288), with prison terms of up to five years for violations. In Kenya, non-compliance under the EPR framework can result in licence revocation, financial penalties, and legal action.

At a regional level, the East African Community formally notified the World Trade Organisation in April and May 2025 of new packaging standards for food-contact materials across Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda, covering plastic cups, plates, and paper-aluminium foil laminates. The EAC Standards Committee met in Arusha in May 2026 to advance harmonised packaging requirements and prepare an implementation roadmap for 2026/2027. Looking further ahead, Kenya's 2030 targets under the Kenya Plastics Pact include 100 percent reusable or recyclable plastic packaging, 40 percent effective recycling rates, and 15 percent average recycled content across all plastic packaging. These targets are not yet mandatory but are already shaping procurement decisions by brand owners and retailers.

If your business operates in any of these sectors, the following actions are required now:

• Register with NEMA and obtain a Producer Responsibility Number.
• Submit a four-year EPR compliance plan outlining how you will manage post-consumer waste.
• Implement a take-back or buy-back scheme for post-consumer packaging, such as deposit-refund systems or collection partnerships.
• Update all plastic packaging labels to include Resin Identification Codes, producer details, and recycled content disclosure.
• Renew your Plastic Clearance Licence if you package products in flexible plastics but do not manufacture the packaging yourself.
• Submit annual compliance reports to NEMA by 31 January each year.
• Maintain detailed records of production volumes, imports, waste collection, and recycling.
• If you export to or operate in Ethiopia, transition away from single-use plastic bags immediately and source compliant alternative materials.

The businesses that act now will be better positioned to maintain market access and compete as the regulatory bar continues to rise. Those that delay risk supply disruptions, penalties, and loss of commercial ground that is difficult to recover.

Propak East Africa 2027, taking place 2 to 4 March at the Sarit Expo Centre, Nairobi, will bring together the full value chain across packaging, printing, plastics, and food and beverage processing. It is where the region's industry comes to find solutions, build partnerships, and stay ahead of the regulatory curve. Stay tuned for updates at www.propakeastafrica.com.