Understanding New EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation: What to know before August 2026

The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) entered into force on February 11, 2025 and is the EU’s first harmonized legal framework setting requirements for the manufacturing, composition, and reusability of all packaging that is distributed in the EU.

Beginning in August 2026, the PPWR will create obligations for any company placing packaging on the EU market, regardless of where it is located.

Objectives of the PPWR

The PPWR replaces the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD), which created a patchwork of national implementations. By contrast, the PPWR applies directly across all member states, thus harmonizing national requirements for packaging-related sustainability and labeling.

The other primary, overarching objectives of the PPWR are to contribute to the EU’s goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, and promote reuse, refill, and recycling.

The PPWR also has several specific goals, including to:

• Make all packaging recyclable by 2030
• Increase the use of recycled plastics in packaging
• Decrease the use of virgin materials in packaging
• Reduce EU member states’ packaging waste generated per capita from the 2018 baseline: 5% by 2030, 10% by 2035, 15% by 2040

What the PPWR Covers

The PPWR covers the entire lifecycle of a package, from design and material selection to end-of-life handling. In doing so, it creates obligations for companies across the supply chain , such as manufacturers, importers, suppliers, distributors, and waste management operators.

The provisions of the PPWR address several aspects of the packaging lifecycle, such as content and components, size and format, and recyclability. Several of the provisions come into effect in August 2026, as detailed below.

• Recyclability: New requirements for packaging recyclability will take effect immediately and become progressively more stringent over time. First, by January 1, 2030, all packaging supplied by the manufacturer or importer for distribution, consumption, or use in the EU market must be designed for recycling, or, designed so that it can be recycled into usable secondary materials. Packaging will be assigned a recyclability grade of A (95%+ recyclable), B (70-95% recyclable), C (55-70% recyclable), or D (less than 55% recyclable). From 2030, only packaging graded C or above (meaning at least 70% recyclable) may be placed on the market. By 2038, only grades A and B will be permitted.
• Recycled content: Plastic components that make up more than 5% of a package’s total weight must contain minimum levels of post-consumer recycled (PCR) content. For example, single-use plastic beverage bottles must contain 30% PCR content by 2030 and 65% by 2040. The specific thresholds vary by the type of plastic.
• Packaging minimization: Packaging must be as small and light as possible, with no unnecessary space, layers, or material. For e-commerce packaging, grouped packaging (i.e. multipacks or bundled sales units), and transport packaging, the empty space inside the package, meaning the proportion of the interior volume not occupied by the product or necessary protective material, must not exceed 50% of total internal volume. Detailed measurement guidance for calculating this ratio is expected by early 2027.
• Recycling and collection: By 2029, member states must implement deposit return schemes (DRS) for single-use plastic and metal containers up to three liters. Under a DRS, consumers pay a fee at the point of purchase and reclaim it by returning the empty container to a designated collection point, incentivizing recycling. The PPWR sets a 90% collection target for these containers by 2029.
• Substance restrictions: Beginning August 12, 2026, food contact packaging is prohibited if it contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at or above 25 parts per billion (ppb) for any individual substance, or 250 ppb in the aggregate. Heavy metal restrictions in food packaging will also apply.
• Format bans: Certain single-use plastic packaging formats will be prohibited. From 2030, bans apply to: very lightweight plastic bags; packaging for small quantities of unprocessed fresh produce; single-portion condiment and sauce packets in the hospitality sector; and toiletry bottles in hotels. Further format bans covering selected single-use retail and cosmetic packaging will apply from 2040.
• Labeling: New, harmonized labeling requirements will be implemented in 2028. Labels will need to contain specific information about packaging material composition to simplify end-of-life disposal sorting.

Upcoming Deadlines

By August 12th, 2026, the regulation indicates that companies that place packaging on the EU market must do several things:

1. Register in the national producer register of each member state where they place packaging on the market
2. Complete conformity assessments for all packaging they place on an EU market, maintain supporting technical documentation, and prepare EU Declarations of Conformity—formal statements confirming that their packaging meets PPWR requirements
3. Comply with provisions that come into effect immediately: PFAS and heavy metal concentration limits in food contact packaging, packaging minimization rules, and recyclability requirements

Key references:

• Summary
• FAQs
• Full text of regulation