The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation PPWR
Background and important key facts about the Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation
The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR for short) is intended to replace and repeal the current EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (European Parliament and Council Directive 94/62/EC of 20 December 1994 on packaging and packaging waste). This is a new piece of European Union legislation that aims to reduce the consumption of plastic packaging while promoting the circular economy. The Regulation includes ambitious targets for waste reduction while expanding the scope of extended producer responsibility (EPR), particularly in terms of requirements for the reusability of packaging and the use of recycled materials.
The EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) will be further specified through delegated acts; nonetheless, companies should proactively prepare for the forthcoming requirements well in advance.
- When will the PPWR come into force?
- What the EU Packaging Regulation means for your business
- Why do we need recyclable packaging?
- How recyclable is your packaging today?
- What is PCR (post-consumer recycled material)?
- What is EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility)?
- Are there requirements for chemical recycling?
- FAQ on the EU packaging regulation
Milestones of the EU Packaging Regulation
1994 On 20 December, Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste was adopted by the European Parliament and the European Council. The aim of the Packaging Directive is to protect the environment by preventing packaging waste.
2022 The European Commission publishes the draft of the EU packaging regulation PPWR with concrete targets for reducing packaging waste, specific requirements for packaging design and specifications for the use of recycled material.
2024 At the end of April 2024, both the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union approved the Regulation during the trilogue process. It was then translated into all 24 official languages and underwent legal-linguistic revision. The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, the European Parliament, and the Council subsequently endorsed the revised texts. While national laws—such as Germany’s Packaging Act (VerpackG)—remain in force, the EU Packaging Regulation will have immediate effect at the EU level once the legal act is finalized and enters into force.
2025 The Regulation obtained legal force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union, i.e., on 22 January 2025.
2026 The PPWR will become legally binding 18 months after entering into force, which places its effective date in August 2026.
2030 Quotas for the minimum use of recyclates: To date, the requirements for the use of recyclates have only applied to single-use beverage bottles. The quotas for a minimum proportion of PCR are to be extended to all types of packaging.
How the PPWR drives environmental protection
The EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) is a cornerstone of Europe’s sustainability agenda, combining climate action, resource efficiency, and waste prevention into one comprehensive framework.
• Advancing the EU’s climate goals
The PPWR supports the EU’s aim of climate neutrality by 2050 and helps achieve lasting reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions.
• Resource efficiency & circular economy
By promoting the smarter use of raw materials, the Regulation accelerates the transition to a sustainable circular economy.
• Harmonized standards across all member states
Because the PPWR is directly applicable in every EU country, businesses face one clear, consistent set of rules.
• Recycling as a growth engine
Improved recyclability of packaging boosts the secondary-raw-materials market and reduces demand for virgin resources.
• Waste prevention & reuse
Less single-use packaging and more reuse options mean waste is avoided before it can even arise.
Together, these measures deliver tangible environmental benefits and put Europe firmly on the path to resource-efficient growth.
PPWR: What the new EU Packaging Regulation means for your business
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) ushers in a stricter, EU-wide rulebook that forces manufacturers and retailers to rethink their entire packaging strategy.
Compliance & Documentation
• Every packaging type must undergo a conformity-assessment procedure.
• Producers must compile a technical file and issue an EU Declaration of Conformity.
• Only correctly labelled, PPWR-compliant packaging may be placed on the market.
Circular Design & Recyclability (from 2030)
• Packaging must be designed for end-of-life recyclability.
• Non-recyclable packaging will be banned in the EU as of 2030.
Minimum Recycled-Content Quotas
• Certain plastic packaging will have to contain a mandated share of recycled material.
• Retailers may source only packaging that meets or exceeds these quotas.
Packaging Reduction & Efficiency
• Binding targets for cutting packaging waste.
• Stricter limits on empty space, weight and size: unnecessary packaging equals non-compliance.
Transparent Labelling
• Harmonized icons and material codes make sorting easier for consumers.
• Clear information obligations for manufacturers and importers.
Compostability & Bio-Based Materials
• The Commission will first evaluate the use of bio-based plastics.
• Defined packaging types must become compostable in the near future.
Reusability & Refill Systems
• Mandatory criteria for reusable packaging.
• Compliance must be proven within the conformity-assessment process.
Bottom line: The PPWR compels companies to invest in eco-friendly materials, intelligent design and airtight compliance processes. Early movers secure market access, cut risk and position themselves as sustainability leaders.
The need for recyclable packaging
Saving resources
The use of recyclable packaging helps to conserve valuable resources such as raw materials, energy and water by reusing materials instead of extracting new ones.
Reducing waste
Recycling removes packaging from the waste stream and transforms it into new products. Recycling therefore helps to reduce waste volumes.
Environmental protection
Recycling reduces greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, as less energy is needed to produce new packaging.
Circular economy
Recycling packaging creates a closed material cycle in which materials are reused instead of being thrown away after a single use.
Consumer preferences
Many consumers already favour products with recyclable packaging. By switching to recyclable packaging, companies can gain the trust of consumers and strengthen their brand reputation.
Sustainable long-term investment
Despite the initial costs of switching to recyclable packaging, companies can reduce their costs in the long term by using environmentally friendly packaging. This sustainable investment not only positions companies as environmentally conscious players, but also offers them the opportunity to gain a clear competitive advantage.
Our scientifically based packaging analysis provides the answer to this question. Our experts analyse your packaging samples according to standardised criteria. We offer comprehensive advice and work with you to develop practical proposals for sustainable packaging optimisation. This enables you to be optimally prepared for the requirements of the EU packaging regulation PPWR.
Mind the Gap: The 2030 Shortfall in Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Material
The recycled material PCR comes from plastic waste disposed of by end users in the yellow bin or yellow bag.
The new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation mandates minimum shares of post-consumer recycled (PCR) material in all packaging from 2030 onward. Exact PCR quotas differ by pack format and substrate, but one fact is universal: higher PCR content will strain supply chains, especially for high-quality recyclate.
A recent study commissioned by Interzero and conducted by bp consultants reveals the scale of the challenge. Even under optimistic assumptions, Europe will face a shortfall of roughly 1 million tonnes of premium-grade PCR by 2030. For brands and packaging manufacturers, that gap translates into fines, production downtime and escalating costs.
The report pinpoints the root causes of the looming shortage, analyses the regulatory pressure, and outlines practical countermeasures—from design-for-recycling strategies to long-term supply contracts. Companies that move now can safeguard their supply chains and turn compliance into a competitive edge.
Our Competence Centre, located in Maribor, Slovenia and accredited to EN ISO 17025, is the focal point of our research and development work in the field of plastics recycling.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
The further development of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a key aspect of the EU Packaging Regulation that drives forward the assumption of responsibility by manufacturers and distributors of packaging in the form of financial participation. This concept obliges companies to take full responsibility for the entire life cycle of their products, including taking back, reusing and recycling the packaging. The aim is to incentivise the use of sustainable materials, use recycling options and reduce the environmental footprint of companies. In this way, the aim is to reduce waste, strengthen the circular economy and drive the transition to more sustainable production and consumption practices.
The EPR systems are intended to cover the costs of collecting, sorting and recycling used packaging waste and at the same time incentivise the use of recyclable packaging and post-consumer recycled (PCR) material. In future, environmentally modulated EPR systems should encourage companies to switch to more sustainable packaging alternatives and thus make a positive contribution to environmental protection.
There are currently a large number of different EPR systems for packaging in Europe, which are implemented by the individual EU countries. In order to remain compliant, companies must take into account the applicable packaging regulations in the individual countries.
We help you keep track of the various systems and stay legally compliant with EPR requirements in any EU country.
The new EU packaging regulation makes chemical recycling more important
In chemical recycling, plastic waste is broken down into its chemical components in order to use them for the production of new plastics. In contrast to mechanical recycling, which returns plastics to their original form, chemical recycling allows the conversion of plastics that are difficult or impossible to recycle using mechanical processes.
Legally binding quotas for chemical recycling, which includes processes such as pyrolysis and solvolysis, do not yet exist. However, innovation-promoting and corresponding regulations should be the goal, as all plastic waste that can be recycled in a technically, ecologically and economically sensible way should be utilised. A holistic approach that promotes both mechanical and chemical recycling is crucial to ensure the sustainable handling of plastic waste, conserve resources and minimise the environmental impact.
- EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation in detail
On 30 November 2022, the EU issued its draft proposal for the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which establishes new legislation for packaging and the management of its waste in EU Member States. Unlike the previous Directive on packaging and packaging waste, the new Regulation that replaces and repeals it will be binding on its target audience throughout all EU countries immediately after it becomes applicable.
As part of the European Green Deal, the PPWR aims to ensure a more consistently sustainable Europe by 2030. The Regulation seeks to minimise the negative environmental impacts of packaging by strengthening the provisions that already require producers to act more responsibly. The new law is also intended to promote the creation of a closed-loop economy.
Specific requirements are proposed to further these goals:
- Reductions to packaging waste:
Producers are required by law to design their packaging so that it minimises the consumption of materials. This means that unnecessary or unrecyclable packaging is to be avoided. - Recyclable packaging:
The Regulation states that packaging must be designed so that it can be recycled easily. - Use of recycled materials:
Packaging made from plastic must include a specific proportion of recycled (post-consumer recycled, PCR) material. In addition, the minimum level of PCR material is also coupled to the use case for the packaging in question (contact sensitive packaging, single use plastic beverage bottles and other packaging). - Labelling and information:
Packaging must comply with labelling rules and information about proper disposal must be provided. - Declarations of conformity:
Traders must include comprehensive declarations at packaging level stating that their packaging conforms to requirements. This information is used for regulatory surveillance and enforcement. - Reuse:
To increase the reuse of packaging, the PPWR envisages imposing reuse targets, not only for the catering and restaurant sector but also to a large extent in the case of packaging used in manufacturing (transport packaging). - Waste management responsibility:
As before, producers across the EU will be subject to ‘extended producer responsibility’ (EPR). As part of EPR and depending on national implementation, producers are required to pay for – and in some cases organise – the take-back and recycling of used packaging to meet specified recycling targets. - Authorised representative:
Businesses who distribute packaging in an EU country but have no registered place of business there must appoint an authorised representative to fulfil their duties.
- Reductions to packaging waste:
- Why did the EU decide to adopt new packaging legislation?
Everyone in Europe produces a lot of packaging waste. Figures from the European Commission show that about 180 kg of packaging waste is produced per person, per year on average. Most packaging is also made from primary raw materials: some 40% of all plastics and 50% of all paper is utilised for packaging within the EU, with a 19% rise forecast here by 2030 if no countermeasures are introduced. The EU PPWR therefore aims to reduce this consumption while promoting the circular economy.
Many countries, many laws... At national level, there are a great many approaches and regulations in force across the EU at the moment for the collection, reduction and recycling of packaging. Some countries are leading the way while others play catch-up, especially in terms of recycling rates. International producers and traders are faced with the never-ending challenge of knowing the specific regulations in each country and acting accordingly. The same is true for domestic e-commerce businesses who ship to other EU countries. The new Regulation is intended to both improve and harmonise the legal situation in the individual countries.
- Who is affected by the PPWR?
The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation is binding on companies with a registered place of business in an EU country or who import packaging into the EU, and applies to domestic and imported products.
