The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation(PPWR): What You Need To Know

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is one of the most significant packaging compliance developments European businesses have faced in recent years. While many organisations are aware that new requirements are coming, far fewer understand the practical impact these changes could have on their packaging, supplier relationships, reporting processes, and compliance responsibilities.

For producers placing packaging on the EU market, preparation goes far beyond understanding the legislation itself. Compliance may require businesses to review packaging designs, assess recyclability, gather new supplier information, strengthen documentation, and prepare for new packaging requirements that will evolve over the coming years.

The challenge is that these activities often take time. Gathering packaging data, engaging suppliers, evaluating packaging formats, and implementing changes cannot be achieved overnight. Businesses that start preparing early will be better positioned to identify risks, prioritise actions, and avoid unnecessary last-minute disruption.

Five Questions Every Producer Should Be Asking

Before the PPWR requirements begin to apply, producers should consider:

• Do you know which packaging formats in your portfolio could present the highest compliance risk?
• Can you demonstrate the recyclability of your packaging where required?
• Have you obtained the evidence and declarations you may need from packaging suppliers?
• Are your current packaging designs likely to meet future requirements?
• Do you have the documentation necessary to support compliance if requested by regulators, customers, or compliance schemes?

If you’re unsure about any of these questions, now is the time to review your readiness.

Download our free PPWR Compliance Guide and Practical Producer Checklist to understand the key compliance challenges, identify potential gaps, and build a practical preparation roadmap.

What Is the PPWR?

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is the EU’s new legal framework for packaging and packaging waste. It replaces the previous Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive and introduces harmonised rules that apply across EU Member States. The Regulation entered into force in February 2025, with most requirements applying from 12 August 2026.

The objective is to reduce packaging waste, improve recyclability, increase the use of recycled content, and support the transition towards a more circular economy. For businesses placing packaging on the EU market, the Regulation will influence how packaging is designed, documented, labelled, reported, and managed.

Who Needs to Comply?

The PPWR applies to packaging placed on the EU market, regardless of material type. It affects a wide range of economic operators, including producers, manufacturers, importers, distributors, online sellers, fulfilment service providers, packaging suppliers, authorised representatives, and others involved in supplying packaged products to the EU market.

Importantly, the concept of a “producer” has been expanded under the Regulation, meaning some businesses that were not previously in scope may now have compliance obligations.

What Does Good PPWR Preparation Look Like?

Every business is different, but effective preparation typically starts with understanding:

• Which packaging formats create the greatest compliance challenges
• Which supplier data and declarations are required
• Where documentation gaps may exist
• Which teams need to be involved internally
• What actions should be prioritised now versus later

These are often the areas where businesses discover the biggest gaps between regulatory awareness and actual readiness.

Download the Free PPWR Compliance Guide and Practical Checklist

To help producers prepare, we’ve created two free resources: