Egypt has convened the first meeting of a national committee to introduce a “green label” certification system for plastic products and packaging — a key step in the country’s drive toward sustainability and a circular economy, the Ministry of Environment announced.

The meeting, chaired by Yasser Abdallah, head of the Waste Management Regulatory Authority, brought together representatives from the ministries of industry and environment, Germany’s GIZ, and several technical experts. The initiative is supported by the National Solid Waste Management Programme, co-funded by the German government and the European Union.

According to the ministry, discussions focused on coordination mechanisms needed to implement the system in collaboration with key national agencies, including 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, described the initiative as an important step toward encouraging recycling and sustainable production practices. She explained that the green label will be awarded to manufacturers that redesign products to be fully or partially recyclable without compromising quality standards — helping to reduce industrial waste accumulation.

Abdallah noted that the certification scheme will target products that use recycled materials, are redesigned for recyclability, or are fully biodegradable, contributing to a reduction in the environmental footprint of plastic waste.

Nermine Abou El Atta, Adviser to the Minister of Industry, said 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 added that the green label will help local manufacturers cut emissions, improve environmental compliance, and enhance export competitiveness.

The ministry highlighted that technical guidelines for the green label were launched in November 2024, followed by a comprehensive packaging guide in November 2025. The certification system will be implemented gradually to facilitate smooth adoption by manufacturers.