The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2025/40) introduces a harmonised framework for packaging across the EU, replacing the previous Directive. The Regulation entered into force on 11 February 2025 and some of its main obligations will become applicable in August 2026, marking a critical deadline for economic operators. Further provisions have later application dates.
EU PPWR: first provisions applicable from August 2026
12 August 2026: the most important date is 12 August 2026, when the PPWR becomes fully applicable across all EU Member States. From this date:
- Only compliant packaging may be placed on the EU market.
- The Regulation applies directly (no national transposition), ensuring uniform requirements EU-wide.
- There is no general grace period for new packaging placed on the market.
Key compliance obligations in 2026
The key requirements applicable from 2026 include:
As of August 2026, several immediate obligations apply, including:
- Substance restrictions
- Technical documentation and conformity
- Requirement for an EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for packaging
- Traceability and identification
- General design and safety principles
By end of 2026, further regulatory developments are expected, including studies and assessments on substances of concern in packaging as well as additional implementing acts. These will further refine the framework and prepare the next compliance phases.
How to prepare for the EU PPWR
To prepare for the EU PPWR, companies should begin by mapping all packaging placed on the EU market and assessing it against the new sustainability requirements. Among others, they should identify the producers in the Member States where they sell packaging or packed goods. In parallel, businesses must establish compliance documentation, such as a technical file and a Declaration of Conformity for each packaging type, and register according to the relevant Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes.
Also check…
Commission proposes harmonised recycling symbols in latest JRC report
What is the extended producer responsibility in the EU?
Industry position on harmonised waste-sorting labels
Are recycling symbols mandatory in the EU?
For any question on packaging, sustainability or product compliance, contact us here or at prodlaw@obelis.net.
References:
European Commission (2025). Regulation (EU) 2025/40 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 December 2024 on packaging and packaging waste, amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 and Directive (EU) 2019/904, and repealing Directive 94/62/EC. Retrieved on 27/05/2026.
European Commission (2025). Packaging Waste Regulation. Boosting business and protecting the planet. Retrieved on 27/05/2026.
Leave a Reply