EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)
EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is the EU regulation that replaced the 1994 Packaging Directive with directly applicable rules on packaging design, recyclability, recycled content, reuse, labelling and producer responsibility.
What it requires
The regulation entered into force on 11 February 2025 and has applied since 12 August 2026. Producers must meet EPR duties in each Member State, with non-established producers appointing an authorised representative. From 1 January 2030, grouped, transport and e-commerce packaging may contain at most 50% empty space, and all packaging must be recyclable by design. Harmonised sorting labels follow from August 2028, and recycled content targets for plastic packaging from 2030. Member States set penalties.
Why it matters
PPWR will change how fulfillment centers choose box sizes and void fill for EU orders. The 50% empty space cap from 2030 counts air pillows and paper fill as empty space, so operations that ship small items in a few standard cartons will need more box sizes, right-sized packaging or automated box making. For example, a 3PL shipping cosmetics from a Polish warehouse in a single large mailer will have to change its cartonization rules before 2030, and EPR producer duties already apply now.
Related laws
- German Packaging Act (VerpackG)2019, replaced by VerpackDG 2026 · German packaging registration and recycling law
- UK Packaging EPR2023, fees from 2025 · UK producer fees for household packaging waste
- Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)2024 · EU product sustainability rules and unsold goods ban
Sources
- Regulation (EU) 2025/40 (EUR-Lex) eur-lex.europa.eu
- European Commission: Packaging waste environment.ec.europa.eu
Not legal advice.