Singapore’s Mandatory Packaging Reporting (MPR) regulatory framework requires companies that import or supply packaging in the city-state to record and report detailed packaging data to the National Environment Agency (NEA) and to submit plans for reducing waste.
The policy aims to improve packaging waste management and lay the foundation for broader extended producer responsibility (EPR) measures, prompting businesses to track material use and set targets for reducing, reusing and recycling packaging.
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Mandatory packaging reporting obligations and compliance timelines
Under the Resource Sustainability Act, Singapore’s MPR framework has been in effect since July 2020 and applies to companies with an annual turnover above S$10 million that import or use packaging in Singapore.
These include brand owners, manufacturers, importers and large retailers such as supermarkets. Obligated companies must collect data on the types and amounts of packaging they supply into the Singapore market and submit this information annually to NEA.
Reporting submissions consist of a data report detailing packaging material, form and weight, and at least one 3R plan (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) outlining how packaging waste will be managed.
Companies must also document their methodology for data collection and support figures with evidence, and retain records for verification by authorities for up to five years.
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By GlobalDataThe submission deadline for packaging data collected in a calendar year typically runs from January to March, with the next deadline set for 31 March 2026. Regulatory outreach from NEA has included industry briefings and notifications to help affected businesses understand their compliance obligations.
Focus on waste reduction and extended producer responsibility
The MPR framework is part of Singapore’s broader strategy to reduce packaging waste and encourage sustainable business practices.
By requiring companies to quantify the volume and types of packaging they use, NEA aims to spur businesses to identify opportunities for material reduction, improved packaging design and enhanced recycling pathways.
Singapore’s packaging reporting regime also supports the eventual implementation of an EPR scheme for packaging waste, expected no later than 2025.
EPR would place greater responsibility on producers for the end-of-life management of their packaging, mirroring approaches under development in other markets.
To assist companies in adapting, NEA and partner organisations have developed technical resources and industry programmes, including a guidebook for packaging reporting and initiatives under the Packaging Partnership Programme geared towards helping firms fulfil their regulatory and sustainability obligations.
Implications for businesses and circular economy planning
For international and regional businesses operating in Singapore, mandatory packaging reporting increases transparency around material flows and highlights the need for proactive waste management strategies.
By tracking packaging data and developing 3R plans, companies can identify cost-effective opportunities to reduce packaging use or switch to materials that are easier to recycle.
Compliance with MPR also positions firms to meet evolving regulatory expectations as Singapore moves closer to full EPR implementation, including a beverage container return scheme that begins in April 2026 and introduces deposit refund mechanisms for plastic and metal containers.
Businesses subject to Mandatory Packaging Reporting should familiarise themselves with NEA’s guidelines, maintain robust data systems and prepare for ongoing reporting and reduction planning as part of Singapore’s wider efforts to strengthen packaging waste management and support circular economy goals.
