Egypt has held the first meeting of a committee tasked with rolling out a national green label certification system for plastic products and packaging, as part of broader efforts to promote sustainability and a circular economy. The initiative aims to encourage recycling and reduce industrial waste. It is supported by the National Solid Waste Management Programme, co-funded by the German government and the European Union.
In a move to bolster sustainable environmental practices, Egypt's Ministry of Environment announced the first meeting of a committee responsible for implementing a green label certification system for plastic products and packaging. The meeting was chaired by Yasser Abdallah, head of the Waste Management Regulatory Authority, and included representatives from the ministries of industry and environment, Germany's GIZ agency, and technical experts.
Discussions centered on coordination mechanisms with key national bodies, such as the Industrial Development Authority, the General Organization for Export and Import Control, and the Egyptian Organization for Standardization and Quality. Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development and Acting Minister of Environment, stated: "This initiative represents a key step towards encouraging recycling and promoting sustainable production practices." She explained that the green label will be awarded to manufacturers who redesign products to be fully or partially recyclable without compromising specifications, helping to reduce industrial waste accumulation.
Yasser Abdallah added that the scheme aims to minimize the environmental impact of plastic waste and will apply to products incorporating recycled materials, those redesigned for easier recycling, or fully biodegradable ones. Nermine Abou El Atta, Adviser to the Minister of Industry, noted: "The initiative aligns with Egypt's preparations for the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), set to take effect in January 2026." She hoped the green label would help manufacturers cut emissions, improve environmental compliance, and boost the competitiveness of Egyptian exports.
Technical guidelines for the system were launched in November 2024, while a comprehensive packaging guide was completed in November 2025. The certification will roll out on a phased timeline to ease compliance for manufacturers.