Highlights:

• The project streamlines administrative activities and makes unfair practices more difficult.
• It also introduces facilitations for companies, which will gain more time to test innovative solutions.
• The new arrangements are scheduled to come into force on 31 December 2025.

The Sejm has adopted a draft bill amending the Environmental Protection Law and certain other acts prepared by the Ministry of Climate and Environment.  This is a consecutive step in the government's deregulatory efforts aimed at improving business environment in the scope of waste management and enhancing administrative efficiency.

Key changes
More efficient administration: marshal's offices will not have to repeat documentary checks on, among others, the recycling of packaging waste if they have already been verified by other authorities. This will streamline the work of the offices and curb the practice of some companies issuing unreliable documents and closing down their operations before the inspections are carried out.

More time for innovation: the period for testing new techniques and innovations in installations with integrated permits has been extended to 30 months, with relaxed environmental requirements. After testing, installations will have to achieve a level of environmental protection at least equivalent to the best available techniques (BAT). This solution stems from the provisions of the revised Industrial Emissions Directive (IED 2.0) and aims to support the development of innovation in industry.

Safe extension of operations: entrepreneurs whose administrative proceedings regarding waste management have not yet been completed will be able to continue their operations under existing decisions for an additional 12 months.

The new regulations are scheduled to come into force on 31 December 2025.