EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)
The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation ( PPWR for short) will replace and repeal European Directive 94/62/EC of 20 December 1994. It is a new European Union regulation aimed at reducing the consumption of plastic packaging and promoting the circular economy.
The Regulation introduces ambitious waste reduction targets and broadens the scope of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), particularly in terms of the reusability of packaging and the use of recycled materials.
The PPWR will be further specified through delegated acts, but companies should prepare for future requirements now.
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Main stages of the EU Packaging Regulation
1994 On December 20, Directive 94/62/EC was adopted with the aim of preventing packaging waste and protecting the environment.
2022 The European Commission publishes the draft PPWR with concrete reduction targets, design criteria and requirements for the use of recycled material.
2024 In April, the Parliament and Council approve the Regulation in trilogue; translations and legal-linguistic revisions follow. National regulations remain in force, but the PPWR will be directly applicable.
2025 The Regulation officially enters into force on 22 January, 20 days after its publication in the EU Official Journal.
2026 The PPWR becomes legally binding from August 2026, 18 months after its entry into force.
2030 Extension of minimum recycled material quotas (PCR) to all types of packaging, no longer just single-use beverage bottles.
How PPWR promotes environmental protection
The European Packaging Regulation (PPWR) is a cornerstone of the European sustainability agenda, bringing together climate action, resource efficiency and waste prevention in a single, coherent framework.
- Contribution to EU climate objectives
Align Europe with climate neutrality by 2050 by sustainably reducing greenhouse gas emissions. - Resource efficiency and circular economy
It promotes a smarter use of raw materials, accelerating the transition towards a sustainable economy. - Harmonized standards for all Member States
A single set of rules valid across the EU, without national fragmentation. - Recycling as a driver of growth
Greater recyclability stimulates the market for secondary raw materials and reduces demand for virgin resources. - Waste prevention and reuse
Less single-use packaging and more reusable solutions mean less waste.
What changes for businesses?
The new Regulation introduces stringent and uniform rules at the European level that force manufacturers and distributors to rethink their packaging strategies.
Compliance and documentation
• Each type of packaging will have to pass a conformity assessment procedure.
• Manufacturers will have to draw up a technical file and an EU Declaration of Conformity.
• Only correctly labelled and PPWR compliant packaging may be placed on the market.
Circular design and recyclability (from 2030)
• All packaging must be designed for end-of-life recycling.
• Non-recyclable packaging will be banned in the EU from 2030.
Minimum recycled content quotas
• Some plastic packaging will have to include a mandatory quota of recycled material.
• Retailers will only be able to sell packaging that complies with these requirements.
Packaging reduction and efficiency
• Binding targets to reduce packaging waste.
• Stringent limits on empty space, weight and dimensions: unnecessary packaging equals non-compliance.
Transparent labeling
• Harmonized icons and codes to simplify separate waste collection for consumers.
• Clear information requirements for producers and importers.
Compostability and bio-based materials
• The Commission will evaluate the use of bioplastics.
• Some types of packaging will have to become compostable.
Reuse and charging systems
• Mandatory requirements for reusable packaging.
• Compliance shall be demonstrated in the evaluation process.
In short, the PPWR requires companies to invest in eco-friendly materials, intelligent design, and rigorous compliance processes. Early adopters reduce risks , secure market access, and strengthen their sustainability leadership.
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Are you aware of your role and the measures you now need to implement?
The new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) will gradually come into force across Europe from 2025, bringing with it significant changes for the entire value chain: the new PPWR provisions are giving new impetus to sustainable packaging solutions.
Companies now have the opportunity to future-proof their processes and benefit from innovative developments. Gradually, new requirements will come into force that will support the transition to a circular economy.
What does this mean, in concrete terms, for your company?
Our white paper provides a clear overview of the various PPWR articles, identifies who is affected—in whole or in part, and in what role—and what measures will need to be implemented in the coming years. Request your free copy now!
The importance of recyclable packaging
Saving resources
Reduced use of raw materials, energy and water.
Waste reduction
Transforming materials into new products, reducing overall waste volumes.
Environmental protection
Lower CO₂ emissions and less air pollution.
Circular economy
Creating a closed loop where materials are continuously reused.
Consumer preferences
The demand for products with sustainable packaging is growing rapidly.
Long-term sustainable investment
Initial costs offset by future savings and a lasting competitive advantage.
How recyclable is your packaging today?
Our scientific analysis provides the answer to this question. Our experts analyze your packaging samples according to standardized criteria. We offer comprehensive consulting and work with you to develop practical proposals for sustainable packaging optimization. This way, you will be optimally prepared for the requirements of the European PPWR Regulation.
Mind the Gap: The PCR Shortage to 2030
PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled Material) is a key concept of PPWR and a fundamental tool for promoting sustainable practices in the packaging industry.
• In Germany, PCR comes mainly from household plastic waste collected using the “yellow bag” system.
• From 2030, all packaging containing plastic will have to include a minimum amount of PCR.
• Specifications and percentages will vary depending on the type of packaging and material.
The challenge: availability and quality of recycled material. Ensuring high standards is essential to make PCR suitable for new packaging.
For further information, the White Paper “Circular Packaging 2030 – Strategies for the PCR Shortage” is available free of charge , with market data and operational recommendations.
Download the White Paper now
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Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
The further development of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a key aspect of the European Packaging Regulation , which promotes the assumption of responsibility by packaging producers and distributors in the form of financial participation. This concept requires companies to assume full responsibility for the entire life cycle of their products, including the take-back, reuse, and recycling of packaging. The goal is to encourage the use of sustainable materials, exploit recycling options, and reduce companies’ environmental footprint. This will reduce waste, strengthen the circular economy, and encourage the transition to more sustainable production and consumption practices.
EPR systems are designed to cover the costs of collecting, sorting, and recycling used packaging waste while simultaneously incentivizing the use of recyclable packaging and post-consumer recycled (PCR) material. In the future, EPR systems tailored to environmental impact should encourage companies to switch to more sustainable packaging alternatives, thus making a positive contribution to environmental protection.
Currently, Europe has a large number of different EPR systems for packaging, implemented by individual member states. To remain compliant, companies must take into account the applicable packaging regulations in their respective countries.
EU-wide licensing and compliance for packaging, WEEE, batteries, and textiles
We help you manage different systems and stay compliant with EPR requirements in any EU country.
Chemical recycling in the spotlight thanks to the new Regulation
Chemical recycling allows plastic waste to be broken down into its basic chemical components, so they can be reused to produce new plastic. Unlike mechanical recycling, which reintroduces plastic into its original form, chemical recycling also allows for the processing of materials that are difficult or impossible to mechanically recycle.
There are currently no mandatory quotas for chemical recycling—which includes processes such as pyrolysis and solvolysis. However, the EU Commission is pursuing regulations that foster innovation, so as to sustainably utilize all technically, ecologically, and economically recyclable plastic waste. A holistic approach, combining mechanical and chemical recycling, will be crucial to reducing the environmental impact of plastic and safeguarding resources.
On 30 November 2022, the European Commission presented its proposal for a Regulation on Packaging and Packaging Waste (PPWR). Unlike the previous Directive, this new Regulation will be immediately binding in all Member States upon entry into force.
As part of the European Green Deal, the PPWR aims to make Europe more sustainable by 2030 by reducing the environmental impact of packaging and promoting a circular economy.
Main requirements provided by the PPWR:
- Reducing packaging waste
Obligation to design packaging that minimizes material consumption, avoiding unnecessary or non-recyclable solutions. - Recyclability
Packaging must be designed to be easily recycled. - Use of recycled material (PCR)
Plastic packaging must include a minimum amount of post-consumer recycled material, varying depending on the type (food contact packaging, single-use beverage bottles, other packaging). - Labelling and information
Clear labeling requirements and instructions for proper disposal. - Declarations of conformity
Manufacturers will be required to provide detailed declarations at packaging level, which will be used for checks and verifications. - Reuse
Introduction of binding targets for reuse, both in the catering sector and in industrial and transport packaging. - Waste Responsibility
Producers remain subject to EPR and, under national regulations, must finance or organize the collection and recycling of used packaging. - Authorized Representative
Companies distributing packaging in an EU country without a local registered office will have to appoint an authorized representative to fulfill their obligations.
In Europe, each person produces an average of 180 kg of packaging waste per year. Packaging accounts for approximately 40% of plastic and 50% of paper used in the EU. Without action, this waste is expected to increase by 19% by 2030.
Today, EU countries have very different regulations regarding the collection, reduction, and recycling of packaging. Some are pioneers, while others are still lagging behind, especially in terms of recycling rates. This regulatory patchwork represents a huge challenge for international manufacturers and distributors, as well as for e-commerce companies selling across borders.
The PPWR was created precisely to harmonize the rules and simplify the legislative framework, ensuring uniform standards throughout the Union.
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation is binding for:
- companies with registered offices in an EU country,
- importers of packaging in the European Union,
- domestic and imported products.
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