The New EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR)

What to expect

On December 16^th, 2024, the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) was formally adopted by the European Council. This Regulation applies to all packaging and packaging waste throughout Europe and will replace the current Packaging Directive of 1994 (Directive 94/62/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council).  

To whom does the PPWR apply to? 

The Packaging Regulation applies to all companies in the EU, and to companies that import packaging into the EU. 

1. Goal of the Packaging Regulation 

The major objective of the new Packaging Regulation (short: PPWR) is to reduce the environmental impact of packaging in the EU and enhance the use of sustainability of packaging materials for better recycling. PPWR aims to promote a circular economy by ensuring that all packaging in the EU market is reusable or recyclable by 2030.  

The regulation also seeks to standardize rules across the EU, reducing confusion from different national laws. This will encourage businesses to invest in innovative, eco-friendly packaging and adopt new circular business models. 

2. Status Quo of the Regulation and next steps

The Regulation will take effect 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU. From that date, a transitional period of 18 months will begin before the PPWR rules will become legally binding.  

The implementation will follow a phased approach with incremental targets leading up to full compliance by 2030. Companies need to start preparing for these changes now to meet the upcoming requirements.

3. What are important Deadlines for the Implementation of the Measures? 

The regulation specifies a timeline for implementation: 

• By 2025: Initial targets for packaging waste reduction and mandatory requirements for specific types of packaging. 

• By 2030: Full compliance with the requirement that all packaging must be reusable or recyclable. 

• Interim Milestones: Various deadlines for specific measures, such as design changes and improved labelling, are set to ensure gradual compliance and allow companies time to adapt.  

4. Who is affected by the New Obligations? 

The regulation impacts a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including packaging producers, importers of packed products, businesses that use packaging, and online retailers. These businesses will need to comply with new packaging design, material usage, and waste management requirements to reduce their environmental impact​.  

5. New Packaging Requirements proposed in the PPWR 

Key requirements under the proposed Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) include: 

• Waste reduction: EU member states must reduce the per capita volume of packaging waste by 5 % by 2030, 10 % by 2035 and 15 % by 2040 (compared to 2018). 

• Waste Management: Improved systems for the collection, sorting and recycling of packaging waste to ensure efficient recycling processing. 

• Labelling and Consumer Information: Packaging must have clear labelling to inform consumers about its recyclability and reusability. Mandatory labelling on packaging with information (details are still being worked out by the EU) on:  

• Material composition

• EU harmonised sorting instructions to be used also on waste containers 

• Instructions for reuse, where applicable  

• mandatory QR code for reusable packaging 

• Reusability: Reuse targets and refill obligations for different types of packaging (food and beverages, grouped packaging, transport packaging, e-commerce). Fibre-based packaging made of paper, cardboard or carton is excluded from all reuse targets, therefore these measures do not apply to paper, cardboard or carton packaging. 

• Recyclability: By 2030, all packaging must be designed to be reusable or recyclable in an economically viable way. The term ‘recyclable’ applies exclusively to packaging that has been Designed for Recycling and can be collected, separated from the source and recycled on a large scale. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fees to be paid by businesses will be based on recyclability performance grades, ranging from A to C. 

• Design for Recyling Standards: Packaging must minimize hazardous substances, enhance material efficiency and improve recyclability. 

• Material Efficiency: Reduction in the amount of packaging and packaging material  used, particularly single-use plastics. 

• Bans on SUP: Ban on single-use plastic (SUP) packaging from 1 January 2030. Also, explicit bans on individual sachets for sauces, tinned food, sugar, etc. Packaging for miniature cosmetics and hygiene products in the hotel and catering industry as well as very lightweight plastic bags 

• Recycled Content: Mandatory minimum recycled content in plastic packaging is set and defined by 2030 and targets increase until 2040. 

The further development of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a key aspect of the EU Packaging Regulation, which promotes the responsibility of producers and distributors of packaging in the form of financial participation. The concept requires companies to take full responsibility for the entire life cycle of their products, including the take-back, reuse and recycling of packaging. The aim is to incentivise the use of sustainable materials, the use of recycling options and the reduction of companies’ environmental footprint. The aim is to reduce waste, strengthen the circular economy and drive the transition to more sustainable production and consumption. 

6. What is PRONEXA about the PPWR and how can we help you? 

As a leading provider of EPR compliance services in Europe, we have been preparing for the PPWR proposal since its early stages with our members and partners. By end of 2024, EU countries should ensure that producer responsibility schemes are established for all packaging with specific targets set for recycling. Many of our Member PROs are already working on establishing packaging services as a waste stream to offer all-in-one solutions to producers. Where our Members do not provide these services, we team up with leading Packaging PROs in order to have a suitable partner for your compliance needs in each of our countries of service. 

Our Packaging Service is live now and we will inform producers on how to manage these changes. We look forward to also tackling our clients’ packaging compliance needs together.