The Government of the Republic of Serbia has adopted the Circular Economy Development Programme for the period 2026–2030 (hereinafter: the “Programme”), as a strategic policy document establishing the directions for the further development of public policies in this field.
From a legal and regulatory perspective, the significance of the Programme lies in the fact that it positions the circular economy as a cross-sectoral issue, linked not only to waste management, but also to environmental protection, energy policy, public procurement, industrial policy, innovation and digitalisation.
The Programme specifically highlights the need for more efficient use of resources, improvement of waste, water and chemicals management systems, development of green public procurement, promotion of energy efficiency, strengthening of institutional capacities, and the creation of a more predictable regulatory framework for businesses.
For business entities, this document may be relevant in the context of future alignment of operations with regulations and standards relating to sustainable business practices, ESG criteria, supply chains, resource management, and environmental impact reporting.
Although the Programme itself does not constitute a regulation directly imposing new obligations on businesses, it may serve as a basis for future amendments to the relevant laws, by-laws and sectoral policies.
The key challenge in the forthcoming period will be the practical implementation of the Programme, particularly through:
- consistent enforcement of the existing regulatory framework,
- further alignment with the regulation of the European Union,
- improvement of incentive and supervisory mechanisms,
- involvement of the business community in the process of drafting future regulations, and
- ensuring legal certainty and predictability for investments in sustainable solutions.
For additional information or consultations, the Tasić & Partners team is at your disposal.