The new EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) will officially take effect on August 12, 2026. While visual requirements – such as recycling-friendly design and void space ratios – will not become mandatory until 2030, manufacturers, importers, and online retailers must comply with the administrative and product-related obligations immediately.
Among the most important changes are
- EU Declaration of Conformity for packaging
- Technical documentation as proof of conformity
- Strict PFAS restrictions and new heavy metal limits
- Requirement to appoint a local authorized representative for companies not headquartered in the respective EU destination country (particularly for cross-border B2C direct shipping)
EPR registration remains mandatory
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) remains just as important. Anyone placing packaged goods on the market for the first time in an EU country must continue to register with the national registries, report quantities, and pay licensing fees.
PPWR Milestones:
August 12, 2026
- EU Declaration of Conformity becomes mandatory
- Technical documentation becomes mandatory
- PFAS ban and new heavy metal limits take effect
- Local authorized representatives become mandatory for cross-border cases
Starting in 2028
- EU-wide standardized sorting labels and material pictograms
Starting in 2030
- Stricter recyclability requirements (Class C)
- Minimum recycled content requirements for plastic packaging
- Empty space in shipping packaging limited to a maximum of 50%
2038 / 2040
- Further tightening of recycling requirements (Class B)
- Significantly higher recycled content rates of up to 65%
The PPWR will take effect in a few weeks. Companies must urgently identify their exact role (producer, manufacturer, or importer) and implement the necessary compliance measures to ensure they are legally compliant by the deadline.
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