Ensuring compliance with EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) is vital for the sustainability and competitive edge of the Food and Beverage sector.

Vietnam's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, aimed at promoting sustainable packaging, are now in effect for the food and beverage (F&B) sector. These regulations require producers and importers to take responsibility for collecting, recycling, or treating post-consumer packaging waste from January 1, 2024, with stricter recycling quotas becoming mandatory from January 1, 2025[1][2][3][5].

The F&B industry, due to its significant use of diverse packaging materials and large contribution to post-consumer waste, is one of the sectors most directly impacted by these regulations. Responsibility in the F&B sector is shared among restaurants, distributors, raw material, and packaging producers[2].

The regulations have been met with challenges, such as inconsistent regulations and limited access to information for producers and importers[3][5]. To address these issues, Vietnam's government is drafting a dedicated decree to clarify definitions, close enforcement gaps, and improve transparency and feasibility[1][5].

Businesses are preparing for compliance by engaging in collaborative forums and policy dialogues. For instance, the "Green Packaging Forum: EPR Journey Towards Sustainable Value" held in August 2025, brought together government bodies, F&B companies, recyclers, environmental startups, and more, to discuss practical steps, eco-design, integrating EPR into environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies, and brand development opportunities under EPR[3][5].

Buìn Le Thanh Khiet, head of the Plastic Circular Unit at the Institute for Circular Economy Development, emphasized that the concept of "ecological design" in packaging, creating products that are easier to recycle, is still relatively new in Vietnam[4]. He also highlighted the importance of public awareness campaigns to encourage waste sorting at the source, which is critical for effective recycling.

Khiet noted that the adoption of EPR can help the F&B industry modernize production, reduce plastic waste, and improve its competitiveness in global markets[4]. Compliance with EPR requirements is crucial for sustainable development in the F&B sector. Khiet stated that EPR is a key pillar in Vietnam's green growth strategy, and proactive preparation and compliance are essential for the F&B sector[4]. Achieving success will require coordinated, cross-sectoral collaboration between government agencies, enterprises, and recycling stakeholders.

The latest draft of the EPR framework requires packaging used for F&B products to meet mandatory recycling quotas starting in 2025[1]. Companies that meet or exceed recycling quotas will be eligible for incentives and reduced financial contributions, while non-compliant businesses will face higher fees[1]. This financial mechanism is designed to drive innovation, encourage sustainable practices, and integrate environmental responsibility into core business strategies.

Businesses must complete declarations and submit reports online via the national EPR information system. Digital transformation is playing a critical role in the EPR rollout, with several digital initiatives launched to support compliance tracking and streamline reporting processes[2].

Khiet also called for stronger partnerships among businesses, local authorities, and international organizations to reduce costs, optimize resource use, and provide access to financial and technical support for pioneering enterprises[4]. He suggested establishing specialized working groups to better support specific industries like food and beverage, to help develop clearer regulations for monitoring, inspection, and performance evaluation[4].

In Europe, products are required to meet stringent "clean" criteria - both in composition and production processes. Aligning with such standards not only fulfills environmental responsibilities but also enhances brand image and investor confidence[2]. Companies view EPR not just as regulatory compliance but also as a strategic chance to innovate packaging, strengthen brand value, and align with global sustainability standards, especially amid the rising investor expectations and circular economy models[1][2].

The Vietnamese government is drafting a decree to clarify definitions and improve transparency for the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations in the food and beverage sector.
Businesses are looking to collaborative forums and policy dialogues to prepare for compliance with the EPR regulations.
Buìn Le Thanh Khiet emphasized that the concept of ecological design in packaging is relative new in Vietnam.
Khiet noted that the adoption of EPR can help the F&B industry modernize production, reduce plastic waste, and improve its competitiveness in global markets.
To address inconsistent regulations and limited access to information, the government is working on clarifying definitions and improving transparency in the EPR framework.
Companies must complete declarations and submit reports online via the national EPR information system as part of the digital transformation in the EPR rollout.
Europe's "clean" criteria for products fulfill environmental responsibilities and enhance brand image, and some companies view EPR as a strategic chance to innovate packaging and align with global sustainability standards.
Stronger partnerships among businesses, local authorities, and international organizations, such as establishing specialized working groups, could help reduce costs, optimize resource use, and provide access to financial and technical support for pioneering enterprises.

Ensuring compliance with EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) is vital for the sustainability and competitive edge of the Food and Beverage sector.