PPWR ready: EU Packaging Regulation & What It Means for Your Business
Discover how the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) impacts your business. Learn key requirements, 2026 deadlines, and how to prepare for 2030 compliance.
What is the PPWR?
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is a European Union regulation introduced in 2025 to reduce packaging waste, improve recyclability, and enforce sustainability requirements across all EU member states. To protect human health and the environment.
It replaces fragmented national rules with a single framework and affects any company that produces, uses, or places packaging on the EU market. The regulation establishes a system of recyclability performance grades, applicable from 2030, and introduces stricter obligations on recyclability from 2038.
Less Waste. More efficiency. Ready for tomorrow.
Aspects to consider:
Why the PPWR regulation matters for EU businesses
Packaging has consumed large amounts of raw materials while reuse and recycling rates remained insufficient.
The PPWR regulation aims to change that by:
– Reducing unnecessary packaging
– Reuse packaging
– Recycle high-quality packaging
– Harmonizing legislation across EU countries
– Supporting the EU’s climate neutrality goal by 2050
Because PPWR is a regulation, not a directive, it applies directly across all EU member states.
👉 Key deadline: From August 12, 2026, the PPWR regulation applies. No panic, it establishes in grades.
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Who Needs to Comply with PPWR? Get ready.
The scope of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation is broad.
It applies to:
– All packaging materials (plastic, cardboard, metal, etc.)
– All packaging waste streams
And affects businesses in:
– Manufacturing and (food / non-food) industry
– Retail and e-commerce
– Logistics and distribution
– Offices and service providers
👉 Bottom line: If your company uses or sells packaged products in the EU, PPWR applies.
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PPWR Compliance: What producers must do
If your company designs, produces, or uses packaging for the EU market, PPWR is a requirement.
Before placing packaging on the market, you need to:
– Perform a conformity assessment
– Create a technical documentation file per packaging type
– Keep documentation available for 10 years
PPWR is not a single deadline—it is a roadmap stretching in fases and grades:
– Compliance fase (2025–2026): “Can I sell?”
– Optimalisatie fase (2026–2030): “Is my packaging smart enough?
– Transformatie fase (2030–2040): “Is my businessmodel future-proof?”
👉 More info: European Union – Packaging and packaging waste.
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Shift toward sustainable packaging in Europe
The PPWR is more than regulation—it’s a transformation of the packaging industry.
We are moving toward:
– Less packaging
– Smarter design
– Increased reuse systems
– Higher recycling efficiency
This transition requires collaboration between:
– Packaging manufacturers
– Material suppliers
– Automation and machine builders
👉 Start preparing for PPWR today. Together, we get you ready. Get in touch.
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How Avercon helps you achieve PPWR compliance
Since 1986, Avercon has specialised in innovative packaging automation solutions, with a strong focus on sustainable cardboard packaging.
But compliance alone is not the goal. Avercon acts as a strategic thinker and long-term partner, helping you navigate the PPWR while identifying smart, cost-efficient opportunities within your packaging operations.
We don’t just build machines—we co-create solutions that make your packaging future-proof, efficient, and compliant.
Where others see complexity, Avercon sees opportunity.
By combining automation expertise, material knowledge, and strategic insight, we help you:
- Reduce packaging costs
- Improve operational efficiency
- Strengthen your sustainability profile
- Stay ahead of regulatory pressure
- Co-engineering of new packaging concepts
- Expertise in recyclable cardboard packaging systems
- Strong partnerships with research centers
- Close collaboration with packaging material suppliers
- In-house engineering, assembly, and programming
- Development of Proof-of-Concept solutions
Need help? Get in touch (or contact directly sales@avercon.be), we are happy to inform you.
Avercon’s Proven Sustainable Packaging Innovations
Avercon has already implemented solutions aligned with the future of sustainable packaging in the EU:
- On-Demand Packaging
Reduces waste through right-sized packaging, read more here. - XL On-Demand Packaging
Efficient automation for large-format packaging, read more here. - EcoBundle
A sustainable alternative to shrink film for food and beverages.
These innovations help businesses reduce material use while preparing for PPWR compliance.
Ready to Make your Packaging PPWR-proof?
Avercon helps you turn complex regulations into efficient, compliant, and future-ready packaging solutions.
Contact us at sales@avercon.be
Key PPWR requirements for packaging compliance
To meet PPWR compliance, packaging must meet sustainability criteria (chapter II-article 5-11). The most important ones are:
- Reduction of Hazardous Substances
Packaging must contain minimal harmful substances. For food-contact materials, stricter limits apply (including PFAS restrictions).
- Recyclability Requirements
All packaging must be designed for recycling:
– Compatible with material recovery processes
– Suitable for separate waste collection
- Minimum Recycled Content
Plastic packaging must include recycled material, typically between 10% and 35% in the first phase, depending on the application
- Compostable Packaging Rules
Certain packaging (e.g. fruit and vegetables, labels) must be compostable.
- Minimization of Packaging Volume and Weight
Packaging must be reduced to the minimum necessary. Misleading designs will be prohibited such as: false bottoms, double walls and excessive layers
- Reusable Packaging
Where possible, packaging must support multiple use cycles without loss of quality.
Official website PPWR: European Union – Packaging and packaging waste
FAQ: EU packaging Regulation (PPWR)
When does PPWR come into force?
> The regulation entered into force on February 11, 2025, with major obligations starting August 12, 2026.
What happens if my company is not compliant?
> Non-compliant packaging will not be allowed on the EU market, potentially blocking your products from being sold.
Does PPWR apply to imported products?
> Yes. Any packaging entering the EU market must comply, regardless of origin.
Is cardboard packaging affected?
> Yes—but it is often easier to make compliant, especially when designed for recyclability and minimal material use.
Gain competitive advantage. Act now. Get in touch
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