PPWR
Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation
The PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, Regulation (EU) 2025/40) sets EU-wide rules for packaging design, recyclability, recycled content, reuse and labeling. It applies from August 12, 2026.
As a regulation, it applies directly in every Member State and replaces the 1994 packaging directive. Most of its substantive requirements land on January 1, 2030, including recyclability grades for packaging, minimum recycled content for plastic packaging, and limits on empty space in e-commerce and transport packaging.
Duties fall on manufacturers, importers, distributors and fulfillment providers, depending on their role. Packaging data (materials, weights, formats) becomes compliance data, so companies that already track it for their carbon footprint or EcoVadis have a head start.
Go further
- PPWR timeline: the packaging obligations landing between now and 2030
- Recyclability performance grades: what your packaging designer needs to know now