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EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation
The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) represents one of the most significant shifts in packaging compliance in decades. Designed to reduce packaging waste, improve recyclability, and accelerate the transition to a circular economy, PPWR replaces the prior version of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive with directly applicable rules across all EU member states.
Who PPWR Applies To
For companies placing packaged products on the EU market, PPWR is not optional. It covers:
Manufacturers and brand owners placing packaged goods on the EU market.
Importers and distributors of packaged products into the EU.
Retailers, including eCommerce sellers.
Packaging manufacturers and converters.
Companies based outside the EU that sell packaged products to EU customers.
If your product is packaged and sold in the EU, PPWR applies to you.
What PPWR Requires
PPWR is broad in scope and has ambitious goals and requirements. Companies are obligated to:
Reduce packaging waste through minimization and reuse targets.
Meet strict recyclability standards for all packaging formats.
Meet minimum recycled content requirements, particularly for plastic packaging.
Minimize or eliminate certain packaging types deemed unnecessary or excessive.
Follow standardized labeling and information to support sorting and recycling.
Collect and report data on packaging materials and volumes.
February 2025: PPWR entered into force.
August 2026: Most PPWR provisions become applicable.
2028-2029: Requirements for harmonized labeling with reusability information phase in.
2030: All packaging on the EU market must be recyclable and meet recycled content, reuse/refill targets, and minimum recycling performance grades.
Prepare for PPWR With Snaplinc
PPWR regulations are extensive and complex, requiring companies to rethink their entire supply chains to meet recycling and reuse goals as they phase in. Planning and preparation now will ease the burden on companies later as requirements build in the coming years.
Whether you’re assessing impact, redesigning packaging, or preparing for reporting and enforcement, our experts work alongside your teams to reduce risk, control costs, and future-proof your packaging strategy. Talk to our PPWR specialists to:
Understand how PPWR applies to your products and markets.
Identify compliance gaps and priority actions.
Develop a realistic, phased compliance roadmap.