What is PPWR?
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (EU) 2025/40 entered into force on February 11, 2025. It replaces Directive 94/62/EC — the framework that has governed EU packaging law since 1994 — with a directly applicable regulation, meaning it takes effect uniformly across all 27 Member States with no national transposition. For businesses, this eliminates the patchwork of national interpretations that existed under the old directive.
EU Member States - uniform,
simultaneous application
Packaging waste reduction target vs
2018 by 2040
All packaging must
meet recyclability standards
Curious about where you stand?
Take the PPWR assessment today and receive your personalized results directly in your email. It only takes a few minutes to complete.
By August 2026 PPWR
becomes applicable
Extended Producer
Responsibility Fee
modulation based on
recyclability
Mandatory Harmonised
Labelling
35% recycled
content in non-contact
plastic and 30% PET
beverage bottles
10% contact-sensitive
plastic40% reuse
for logistics/sales
packaging B2B10% reusable
for grouped packaging100% recyclable
packaging at scaleMaximum 50 % air
in a logistics box ratioRecyclability Grades
A/B/C allowed in the
marketReuse 10% of bottles
for alcoholic and
non-alcoholic
beverages
Recyclability Grades
A/B allowed in the
market
65% recycled
content in non-contact
plastic and 50% PET
beverage bottles25% contact-sensitive
plastic70% reusable
for logistics/sales
packaging25% reuse
for grouped packaging50% reuse
for e-commerce
packaging
Who does PPWR
apply to?
Manufacturers
Placing packaged products on the EU market — yes, regardless of where you are established.
Importers
Online marketplaces — Platforms enabling third-party sales into the EU bear compliance obligations for those sales.
Online marketplaces
Platforms enabling third-party sales into the EU bear compliance obligations for those sales.
B2B packaging users
Industrial and transport packaging is in scope, not just consumer-facing formats.
HORECA operators
Food service, catering, and hospitality businesses face specific reuse and labelling obligations.
SMEs are NOT exempt
PPWR provides no general derogation based on company size. All producers are in scope.
FAQs