We’ve all been there: you order a small charging cable and end up with a box the size of a shoebox, stuffed full of plastic padding. That’s about to change. The new EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) makes efficiency mandatory.
What exactly is being banned?
Effective January 1, 2030: The void ratio in retail, shipping, and e-commerce packaging may not exceed 50%.
- Focus on Online Retail & B2B: The regulation specifically targets these sectors to minimize “empty space” in package deliveries.
- Ban on deceptive packaging: Packaging that creates the illusion of a larger volume through double walls, false bottoms, or similar designs is explicitly prohibited.
- Exception: Transport packaging for palletized goods (such as stretch film) is exempt from the 50% void space quota. In other contexts (e.g., B2B transport), however, separate reuse quotas may apply in some cases. Certain types of packaging, such as those for products with a protected geographical indication (e.g., specific wines or cheeses), may also be exempted. These exemptions are determined separately by the EU.
- Calculation: The exact methodology for determining empty space, as well as specific safety margins for sensitive products, will be further specified in supplementary legal acts issued by the European Commission.
Current Situation: This is how much air is currently being shipped
- Average: In European e-commerce packages, the proportion of unused space currently ranges from 43% to 50%, meaning that nearly half the volume in shipping boxes remains empty.
- Industry outliers in fashion and electronics: Since standardized box sizes are often used in these sectors, the proportion of empty space is disproportionately high. Especially for small electronic components (charging cables, adapters), the proportion of empty space often far exceeds 50%.
- About 34% of executives worldwide report that their shipping packaging is often twice as large as the actual product.
Environmental and economic consequences
- CO2 emissions: An estimated 122 million tons of CO2 are emitted worldwide each year simply to transport air. It is important to note that this is an estimated global projection of indirect emissions (more trucks, more materials, more energy), not a directly measured individual statistic.
- Logistics costs: A reduction in volume inevitably leads to better utilization of cargo space. Experts estimate that millions of trips could be eliminated if packages were more precisely sized.
- Cost-saving potential: Many logistics providers calculate prices based on volumetric weight. By using optimized boxes, companies can achieve significant savings on freight and materials.
The Goals of PPWR
- Waste prevention: The regulation sets binding targets for reducing packaging waste for the first time. By 2030, the amount of waste per capita is to be reduced by 5%, and by as much as 15% by 2040.
- Design for Recycling: Starting January 1, 2030, all packaging placed on the EU market must be recyclable. Specific design criteria (Design for Recycling) will be introduced for this purpose. For certain materials (e.g., wood or textiles), there will likely be minor exceptions or longer transition periods, but the 2030 deadline for the vast majority of retail packaging remains in place.
- EU Harmonization: Since this is a regulation and no longer just a directive, it applies directly in all EU member states.
- Climate Protection: Through the combination of reduced material use (ban on empty space), higher recycling rates (recycled content quotas), and reusable systems, the PPWR is a central component of the European Green Deal.
The PPWR is just the beginning. We can help you stay on top of all legal requirements: Contact us for comprehensive advice on your compliance issues relating to electrical and electronic equipment, packaging, batteries, and PV panels.
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