Major changes are coming with an EU law for coffee lovers. Businesses that sell take-away coffee are obliged to supply their customer in their own container, provided that he chooses to get it in this way.
As the former chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on the Environment, Mr. Charalambos Theopemptou, states to "F", because it is not an EU directive but a regulation, the regulation is implemented immediately without prior approval by the Parliament. Of course, this will apply from the year 2027. Mr. Theopemptou states that based on the Regulation, cafeterias must accept the container that the customer will present, fill it (depending on the order) and they have no choice in this. There is no exception to this regulation even for very small businesses.
Moreover, on February 12, 2028, based on Article 33(4) (which concerns reusable packaging) businesses must offer the customer a glass or reusable packaging. Micro-enterprises are excluded from this regulation.
It is noted that from 2030, if there are seating areas in coffee sales areas (tables, bars, standing customers), single-use plastic packaging for food and beverages filled on site will be prohibited.
The new obligations concern the "final distributor" in the HORECA sector – i.e. Hotels, Restaurants and Catering, which offers hot or cold beverages in take-away packaging. The definition of HORECA is found in Article 3(1) and specifically in point 35, and refers to "Accommodation and food service activities" Based on the above, a café or coffee shop that serves beverages, for immediate consumption, has an obligation to comply.
As Mr. Theopemptou explains, the Regulation also stipulates:
• Same price and same terms. The beverage in the customer's container may not cost more, nor may it be offered on worse terms than the same product in single-use packaging (Article 32(2)).
• Information at the point of sale. Customers are informed, by means of 'conspicuous and legible' signs or signage, that they can bring their own container.
• Refilling rules (Article 28). Customers are informed about:
(a) The types of containers that are accepted.
(b) Hygiene standards.
(c) The customer's responsibility for health and safety when using their own container.
• Refill "station" requirements. Clear information on the hygiene standards that the container must meet and the acceptable types (contact details of the company, means of measuring the quantity and the price does not include the weight of the container.
• Right of refusal and discharge of liability. The store may refuse to fill a container that is deemed unclean or unsuitable. It is not responsible for hygiene or food safety issues arising from the container brought by the customer (Article 28(4)).
What changes in 2028 – Article 33
From February 12, 2028, in addition to "bring your own container", the customer must be given the option to take the beverage in reusable packaging, within a reuse system (e.g. reusable cup with return or guarantee). The obligation to inform with signage and the rule "same price, no worse terms" also apply here.
Exemption of micro-enterprises (Article 33(4)): the obligation of Article 33 does not apply to enterprises that are "micro-enterprises" according to Recommendation 2003/361/EC.
As a rule, a company with less than 10 employees and an annual turnover or a balance sheet total of up to €2 million is considered "very small".
From 2030, businesses are additionally required to aim to offer 10% of products in reusable form (Article 33(5)).
Also, from January 1, 2030, if there are seating areas, single-use plastic packaging for food and beverages filled and consumed inside the space will be prohibited.
For market preparation purposes, in 2026 it must be confirmed whether the business is classified/classified as "very small" (in which case some exceptions will apply) while the existing take-away packaging and suppliers are recorded.
