What is PPWR and How Does It Affect Your Packaging?
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From August 12, 2026, the PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation) will apply to the European packaging market. This will impact brands, importers, and packaging suppliers. If you are a custom packaging supplier targeting the European market, or a European business looking for suppliers in other countries, this article will explain what the PPWR is, how it affects packaging, and what you need to know.
What is PPWR?
PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation), official name: Regulation (EU) 2025/40. It was adopted by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union and was published on January 22, 2025. It came into effect on February 11, 2025, and will generally apply from August 12, 2026. The official regulation clearly states that PPWR covers the entire lifecycle of packaging from production to disposal.
Why Should the PPWR be Enacted?
The European Union pointed out that over the past decade, packaging waste in Europe has increased significantly, with low rates of reuse and recycling and insufficient recycling capacity. This has posed major obstacles to achieving a low-carbon circular economy and has also placed a heavy burden on the environment. Therefore, PPWR sets rules for the entire lifecycle of packaging. It helps EU countries work together to make a more consistent and efficient packaging market. At the same time, it prevents and reduces the harm that packaging and packaging waste can cause to the environment and human health.
What Are the Key PPWR Requirements?
Recyclable packaging
Under the PPWR, all packaging placed on the market must be recyclable. However, recyclability does not mean simply being made of paper. Customized packaging must be designed with recyclability at the beginning, which means that incompatible and non-separable materials such as paper and plastic cannot be randomly combined. Certain additives such as carbon black for colouring plastic that may interfere with sorting cannot be used. The structure must also be convenient for disassembly. Moreover, customers will in the future demand that suppliers provide “recyclability assessment” reports and certifications.
By January 1, 2030, all packaging put on the market must be recyclable. And grades A, B, and C will be introduced, and only packaging that reaches grade A or B (i.e., achieving the standard for large-scale actual recycling rate) can be regarded as recyclable. The rest of the packaging will not be allowed to be on the market.
Recycled content
From January 1, 2030, any plastic packaging (including some imported empty packaging) placed in the European Union must contain a certain proportion of post-consumer recycled plastic. This could have a significant impact on businesses that produce custom plastic packaging- you must ensure that products such as plastic bags and hard plastic boxes contain the required proportion of post-consumer recycled materials by 2030. Supplier verification, material traceability, and third-party certifications (like EuCertPlast, RecyClass) will become hard requirements for getting orders. Also, recycled materials usually cost more than virgin materials, which will directly increase production costs and selling prices.
Moreover, FSC certification and recycled content are not the same thing, so when customers ask for documents from you, be sure to ask clearly what kind of documents they want.
Packaging minimisation
By February 12, 2027, the European Commission will create or update official rules that explain how to measure and calculate whether packaging uses as little material as possible (packaging minimisation). This gives everyone one clear, standard way to check if packaging meets the requirement. For most common packaging types and specifications, the maximum applicable weight and volume limits will be clearly defined, and in appropriate cases, the wall thickness and maximum gap space will also be specified. Starting from January 1, 2030, the weight and volume of packaging must be minimized, and the excess space must not exceed the necessary limit. It is prohibited to make packaging appear larger by adding unnecessary layers, false interlayers, etc. In simple terms, excessive packaging is prohibited.
In the future, we will proactively prove to our customers that ” minimisation has been achieved” and retain technical documents. Overly luxurious packaging designs may not be allowed. We can help you balance marketing appeal with compliance.
Reusable packaging
First, it is necessary to clarify the concepts: Recycle ≠ Reuse. Recycling means that after the packaging is used up, it is recycled and processed into new materials. Reuse means that the packaging itself can be used multiple times. The European Commission will issue detailed regulations by February 12, 2027 at the latest, setting a minimum number of reuse cycles for “reusable packaging”. For example, a plastic box must be reused at least 5 to 10 times to be considered truly reusable packaging, to prevent businesses from using “technically reusable but effectively used only once” packaging to evade the requirements. The specific number will be determined according to different packaging types, while taking into account hygiene and the realities of transportation.
From January 1, 2030, businesses in the EU that use transport packaging or sales packaging for transporting products — such as foldable plastic crates, boxes, plastic pallets, buckets, drums, and cans (any size or material) — must make sure at least 40% of that packaging is reusable.
From January 1, 2040, those businesses should aim to make sure at least 70% of that packaging is reusable.
Micro-enterprises that use less than 1,000 kg of packaging per year are exempt. Retailers on islands with fewer than 2,000 residents or in very low population density areas are also exempt.
Packaging labelling
From August 12, 2028, the EU will introduce standardized packaging labels (or QR codes). This label mainly tells consumers what material the packaging is made of and how to sort it for recycling. The label must use easy-to-understand pictograms, so that even people with disabilities can understand it.
If the packaging is reusable, from the date the rules apply, it must have a clear label showing it is reusable. It may also need a QR code to provide more information, such as how to reuse it, whether there is a reuse system or collection point, and roughly how many times it can be reused.
Packaging labels must be clearly visible and easy to read.
What Does PPWR Mean for Different Packaging Types?
| Packaging Type | What to Consider |
| Folding Carton | Paper material, coatings, recyclability |
| Rigid Box | Material combination, inserts, lamination |
| Scatola Mailer | Material efficiency, recyclability |
| Borsa della spesa | Paper source, structure, handles |
| Tubo di carta | Composite materials, end-of-life |
| Imballaggio cosmetico | Material combinations and unnecessary packaging |
| Confezione regalo | Packaging minimisation and material separation |
How Can Packaging Suppliers Prepare for PPWR?
During the packaging design stage, we can help customers choose recyclable materials, simplify material combinations and reduce unnecessary packaging. We will also focus on checking the recycled content of plastic packaging. At the same time, we will keep all material documentation, including material specifications, components, recycled content information, supplier declarations, and related test reports. Before productions begins, we will communicate with you about the PPWR compliance requirements, as the responsibilities of manufacturers, importers, distributors, producers, or brands are different.
We will confirm with you whether there are specific requirements, such as whether to prefer recyclable materials or simplify the material structure. By discussing these requirements early, we can identify suitable materials, simplify the packaging structure, prepare the necessary documentation, and reduce the risk of costly changes after production has started.
PPWR Compliance Checklist for Packaging Buyers
For European purchasers, before you place a packaging order, please ask your supplier these questions to avoid PPWR risks in advance.
• Is the packaging recyclable?
• What materials are used?
• Are different materials easy to separate?
• Does it contain recycled content?
• Does it contain any unnecessary packaging components?
• Are coatings or laminations used?
• What documentation can the supplier provide?
• Does the packaging have specific labelling?
• Is the packaging covered by reuse requirements?
• Can the supplier support PPWR-related technical documentation?
PPWR Timeline: What Happens and When?
| Time | Who acts | What the government/EU mainly does | Implications for custom packaging companies |
| 2026/8/12 | European Commission + Member States | PPWR becomes generally applicable | Packaging businesses need to begin preparing for the new compliance framework |
| 2026/12/31 | European Commission | Refines certain implementing rules and calculation/verification methods | More data needed for plastic components, recycled materials, etc. |
| 2027/2/12 | European Commission + Member States | Further clarifies penalty systems, packaging reduction, restrictions on single-use packaging, etc. | Entering the real enforcement phase |
| 2027/6/30 | European Commission | Establishes calculation rules for reusable packaging | Mainly affects reusable packaging |
| 2028/1/1 | European Commission | Establishes Design for Recycling standards | Packaging materials, structure, adhesives, coatings, etc. will affect recyclability grades |
| 2028/2/12 | European Commission | Establishes calculation rules for empty space in packaging | Focus on e-commerce boxes, transport boxes, and set/multi-piece packaging |
| 2028/8/12 | European Commission + Member States | Uniform packaging labels begin to apply | Packaging needs material classification/recycling-related labels |
| 2029/1/1 | Member States | Deposit return systems reach specified targets | Mainly targets single-use plastic beverage bottles and metal beverage containers ≤3L; little relevance to ordinary paper packaging |
| 2030/1/1 | EU + Member States + Businesses | Packaging must meet recyclability requirements, Packaging Minimisation, Empty Space Ratio, and bans on certain packaging formats | ⭐ Most important milestone to watch |
| 2032/2/12 | European Commission | First review of packaging reduction, empty space, certain packaging restrictions, etc. | Rules may be further tightened |
| 2034/8/12 | European Commission | Comprehensive evaluation of PPWR | Provides basis for next-stage policy adjustments |
| 2035/1/1 | European Commission + Industry | Packaging enters the “at-scale recycling” stage | Not just theoretically recyclable, but requires actual recycling capacity |
| 2038/1/1 | EU + Businesses | Recyclability grades further tightened | Only Grade A/B packaging allowed on the market |
| 2040 | EU + Member States | Long-term reuse and circular economy targets further increased | Long-term direction |
Conclusione
OPACK has already prepared for PPWR. For EU customers, we can provide the technical information and supporting documents needed to assess the packaging compliance, including material composition, material specifications, packaging weight and dimensions, component information, recyclability-related information, substance-related declarations, and recycled-content information where applicable.
When delivering your custom packaging, we can also provide a Declaration of Compliance (DoC) where applicable. This means you get not only custom packaging, but also traceable and verifiable technical support for your compliance assessment — so you can feel confident before the 2030 requirements fully apply.
FAQ
1. Is PPWR mandatory?
Yes, PPWR is an EU law, so it must be followed. Any packaging sold in the EU must meet the PPWR rules that apply to it. But the exact requirements depend on the type of packaging and who is placing it on the market (for example, the manufacturer, importer, or distributor).
2. When does PPWR apply?
PPWR entered into force on February 11, 2025, and generally applies from August 12, 2026. However, many specific requirements have their own implementation deadlines, so businesses should check the timeline for the requirements that apply to their packaging.
3. Does FSC certification mean PPWR compliance?
No. FSC certification does not automatically mean that packaging complies with PPWR. FSC mainly addresses responsible sourcing of forest-based materials, while PPWR covers broader requirements such as recyclability, packaging minimisation, recycled content, labelling, and waste prevention.
4. Does PPWR ban plastic packaging?
No. PPWR does not completely ban plastic packaging. Instead, it sets rules on things like recycled content, recyclability, reducing packaging, and bans on certain specific types of packaging.
5. What information should packaging suppliers provide?
Packaging suppliers should be ready to provide technical information about the packaging, such as what materials it is made of, how much it weighs, how much recycled material is used (if any), and any other information needed to prove it follows the rules. The exact documents required depend on the packaging and which PPWR rules apply.
6. How can I make my packaging more PPWR-friendly?
You can start by reducing unnecessary packaging, choosing suitable recyclable materials, simplifying material combinations, considering recycled content where applicable, and checking labelling and recyclability requirements during the design stage. It is also important to discuss specific PPWR requirements with your EU customer before production.
Salve clienti
Mi chiamo Rhys Lin e sono il fondatore di Opack. Lavoro nel settore dell'imballaggio da oltre 20 anni. Sono bravo nella progettazione di imballaggi, nella produzione e nel controllo qualità. Non esitate a contattarci. Sarò lieto di fornirvi il miglior servizio e le migliori soluzioni di imballaggio.
