PPWR
EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation
In force
Regulation (EU) 2025/40 entered into force on 11 February 2025 and has applied across the EU since 12 August 2026. It replaces the packaging directive that had been in place for thirty years, and applies uniformly across all member states rather than through twenty-seven national versions.
It covers all packaging and packaging waste, whatever the material and wherever it was made. Businesses outside the EU placing packaged goods on the EU market are covered in the same way as those inside it.
The regulation sets harmonised sustainability and labelling standards across the whole packaging life cycle, with the aim of preventing unnecessary packaging, improving recyclability, supporting reuse and refill, and contributing to the EU's circular economy and 2050 climate neutrality goals.
The European Commission published implementation guidance and updated FAQs in March 2026.
Key dates
- 11 February 2025
- Entered into force
- 12 August 2026
- General application. PFAS restrictions in food-contact packaging take effect
- 12 August 2028
- Harmonised labelling requirements
- 1 January 2030
- Design for recyclability
- To 2040
- Recycled content targets, reuse quotas and recyclability grades phased in
How we help
- Collecting packaging information from suppliers
- Obtaining recycled content and material declarations
- Preparing PPWR packaging documentation
- Reviewing packaging for recyclability and minimisation
- Building compliance into the sourcing process rather than checking at the end
If you would like to talk through how PPWR affects your products or packaging, get in touch.