History of the IRPC

30 May 1996

The first Cooperation Agreement is created as a legal framework for European Directive 94/62/EC.

1997

  • The Walloon Region, the Flemish Region and the Brussels-Capital Region jointly set up the Interregional Packaging Commission. The IRPC is responsible for ensuring proper compliance with the Cooperation Agreement.
  • Fost Plus officially becomes the accredited compliance organisation for the management of household packaging waste, responsible for the selective collection of PMD, glass and paper/cardboard.

1999

Valipac officially becomes the accredited compliance organisation for the management of industrial and commercial packaging waste. Companies that join Valipac are in compliance with their statutory reporting and take-back obligations.

11 February 2004

European Directive 94/62/EC is amended by Directive 2004/12/EC. The definition of the term “packaging” is broadened and Europe sets higher targets for recycling and recovery of packaging waste.

2007

The IRPC celebrates its 10th anniversary.

2008

A new version of the Cooperation Agreement is drawn up, based on European Directive 2004/12/EC.

1 January 2015

Following the sixth constitutional reform, the IRPC now also takes on the role of the Belgian waste transit authority.

26 September 2017

The IRPC celebrates its 20th anniversary.

Interregional Packaging Commission (IRPC)