Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)

Die PPWR is a central component of EU circular economy policy and aims to reduce the growing volumes of packaging waste in the EU. The regulation replaces the previous EU Packaging Directive (94/62/EC) and significantly expands its scope. It entered into force on 11 February 2025 and applies directly across all 27 EU member states from 12 August 2026.

The key requirements of the PPWR come into force in phases; requirements from 2028 and 2030 onwards have not yet been finalised through delegated acts and remain subject to change:

• Declaration of conformity and technical documentation (from 12 August 2026): Manufacturers must demonstrate that their packaging meets PPWR requirements and keep the relevant documentation available for competent authorities.
• Extended producer responsibility (EPR) (from 12 August 2026): Manufacturers and those placing products on the market must register in national EPR schemes and contribute financially to the collection, disposal and recycling of their packaging.
• Packaging minimization (from 12 August 2026): Packaging must be reduced to the functional minimum; certain single-use plastic packaging formats will only be banned from 2030 onwards.
• Labelling and reuse (from 2028 at the earliest): Harmonized EU labelling obligations and mandatory reuse quotas apply in certain sectors.
• Recyclability and recycled content (from 2030 at the earliest): All packaging must be designed for recycling, and plastic packaging must contain a minimum share of recycled material.

The PPWR applies to all companies placing packaging or packaged products on the EU market — regardless of whether these are produced within the EU or imported from third countries. Small and medium-sized enterprises are also in scope if they form part of larger supply chains.

Manufacturers and businesses using packaging face the challenge of comprehensively reviewing their packaging portfolios against the new requirements. The PPWR demands precise documentation as well as adjustments to packaging design and labelling. Companies should begin their assessment early to meet the requirements by August 2026 and avoid restrictions on market access.