Polish government delays sugar tax and waste law reforms

Polish agricultural and food‑trade organisations have formally appealed to the Ministry of Finance asking that the proposed amendment to the Public Health Act (project UD417) – which would raise the sugar tax to up to 1.80 zł per litre and introduce new levies on caffeine or taurine in drinks – be rejected. They argue the measures would increase prices, hurt consumers and the domestic sugar, fruit‑grower and beverage sectors, and lack proven health benefits.

At the same time, the government’s draft law on extended producer responsibility for packaging waste (ROP) has hit another hurdle. Consultations revealed numerous concerns from the ministries of finance and agriculture over cost allocation to municipalities and the lack of financing details. The legislation, intended to streamline packaging waste management and impose a fee on producers, will not be ready by the originally planned 12 August 2026 deadline.