From 20-23 April 2026, GIZ Thailand, through the Marine Litter Prevention through Reduction, Sustainable Design and Recycling of Plastic Packaging (MA-RE-DESIGN) Project, in collaboration with the Royal Thai Embassy in Brussels, organised a study visit to facilitate a knowledge exchange between Thai and European experts. The initiative was aimed at supporting the development of Thailand’s sustainable packaging management system and strengthening the country’s readiness for EU circular economy regulations.
The study visit focused on exchanging technical knowledge related to verification and certification systems for sustainable packaging design, as well as operational approaches and functions of conformity assessment bodies for environmentally friendly packaging, to develop Thailand’s draft Sustainable Packaging Management Act and prepare Thai stakeholders for compliance with key EU regulations – particularly the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).
The Thai delegation comprised Associate Professor Piti Eiamchamroonlarp, Faculty of Law, Chulalongkorn University, Dr Nudjarin Ramungul, National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), and Varoon Varanyanond, Center of Excellence on Petrochemical and Materials Technology (PETROMAT), Chulalongkorn University. The delegation was accompanied by representatives from the Royal Thai Embassy to the European Union and private sector representatives from Siam Cement Group (SCG) in the Netherlands.
During the four-day programme, the delegation engaged with eight leading European organisations across the public sector, private sector, environmental organisations and industry associations: the Directorate-General for Environment (DG ENV), Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW), the European Organisation for Packaging and the Environment (EUROPEN), the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), RecyClass, Interregional Packaging Commission (IRPC), Fost Plus, Valipac, SGS Benelux, and ExxonMobil Petroleum and Chemical.
The discussions covered several key topics on sustainable packaging and circular economy policies. These included criteria for assessing the recyclability of plastic packaging, packaging verification and certification systems, including chemical testing and environmental standards, and approaches to implementing the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). Participants also explored the development of the Digital Product Passport under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and Belgium’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system.
In addition to the study trip, on 22 April 2026, Dr Nudjarin Ramungul also participated as a speaker at the ASEAN-EU Seminar on Circular Economy, co-organised by the Royal Thai Embassy in Brussels/Mission of Thailand to the EU, and GIZ Thailand to strengthen ASEAN-EU cooperation on the circular economy.
The knowledge and recommendations gained from this study visit will contribute to the feasibility study on establishing a national accreditation body and a conformity assessment system for environmentally friendly packaging in Thailand. The outcomes will support the development of legal recommendations for the implementation of Thailand’s forthcoming Sustainable Packaging Management Act, with the aim of aligning Thai packaging standards with international standards and strengthening the competitiveness of Thai businesses in the circular economy transition.
The Marine Litter Prevention through Reduction, Sustainable Design and Recycling of Plastic Packaging (MA-RE-DESIGN) Project aims to strengthen measures and capacities to prevent plastic leakage into the marine environment in Thailand. The project is supported by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) and implemented by GIZ Thailand, WWF and UNEP COBSEA, in collaboration with the Pollution Control Department and relevant public and private sector stakeholders.
For more information, please visit: https://www.thai-german-cooperation.info/marine-litter-prevention-through-reduction-sustainable-design-and-recycling-of-plastic-packaging-ma-re-design/
