PPWR Explained: Everything You Need to Know About the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation

The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is the new EU framework that will replace the current Packaging Directive and set one harmonized set of rules for all packaging in the European Union. It entered into force on February 11, 2025, and will start to apply on August 12, 2026. From that date on, companies may place only compliant packaging or packaged products on the EU market. 

The goal of the PPWR is clear: reduce packaging waste, improve recyclability, increase transparency, and ensure that packaging meets strict sustainability and data requirements across the entire value chain. These requirements will impact many ‘economic operators’ (businesses), including manufacturers, importers, distributors, suppliers, and brand owners. 

In this blog, we explain what the PPWR is, what changes it brings, how it will impact your business, what you must do by key deadlines, and how osapiens can support your full PPWR compliance journey. 

What is the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and who must comply? 

The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is the new EU‑wide framework that sets clear, legally binding rules for all packaging placed on the EU market. It replaces the old Packaging Directive and introduces harmonized requirements for sustainability, recyclability, labeling, documentation, and transparency.  Starting August 12, 2026, products in non‑compliant packaging can no longer be marketed in the EU. 

What PPWR covers 

The PPWR applies to all packaging types and every stage of the packaging life cycle. It sets requirements for: 

• chemical safety, 
• Design for Recycling (DfR), 
• recycled content, 
• packaging minimization, 
• reuse systems, 
• compostability (for limited use cases), 
• labeling, 
• traceability and documentation, 
• and Declarations of Conformity (DoC). 

It introduces strict sustainability and information disclosure obligations that companies must meet by different deadlines between 2026 and 2040 (when all packaging must be recyclable under EU criteria), depending on the requirement. 

Who must comply? 

The PPWR affects every business that places packaging or packaged products on the EU market. This includes: 

• Manufacturers of packaging or packaged products 
• Importers bringing packaged goods from outside the EU 
• Distributors that make packaged goods available on the market 
• Suppliers providing packaging materials 
• Brand owners whose name or brand appears on the packaging 
• Non-EU companies selling packaged products into the EU 

Most companies will hold more than one PPWR role depending on the product. For example, one product line may classify a company as a manufacturer, while another product sourced from outside the EU makes the same company an importer. Each role comes with its own responsibilities, such as data collection, verification, documentation, storage of DoCs, and labeling checks. 

How PPWR will be enforced 

To place packaging on the EU market from August 12, 2026, companies must be able to show: 

• a completed conformity assessment, 
• technical documentation for each packaging item or family, 
• an EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC), 
• correct labeling and marking, 
• and proof of compliance upon request from authorities. 

Manufacturers must create the technical documentation and the DoC, while importers and distributors must collect, store, and verify them. Market surveillance authorities may request documentation at any time, and companies must provide it promptly. 

How PPWR will affect your business 

The PPWR will have a major impact on businesses across the EU and beyond. It introduces new rules that will change how companies design packaging, source materials, work with suppliers, and manage documentation. These changes affect daily operations, long-term planning, and cross‑functional processes. 

Industries and company types affected 

The PPWR applies to all packaging placed on the EU market, which means it impacts almost every sector. It is especially relevant for: 

• FMCG and consumer packaged goods (food, beverages, cosmetics) 
• Retail and e‑commerce 
• Packaging manufacturers 
• Logistics and fulfillment 
• Food service and hospitality 
• Textiles and consumer goods 

It also affects every type of economic operator: 

• Suppliers that provide packaging materials 
• Manufacturers that package products or produce packaging 
• Importers placing non‑EU packaging on the market 
• Distributors making packaged goods available in the EU 
• Brand owners whose name or brand appears on packaging 

Because many companies sell different product lines, they may hold multiple PPWR roles at once. A company can be a manufacturer for its own products, an importer for goods sourced outside the EU, and a distributor for goods sourced within the EU. Each role triggers different compliance duties. 

Operational impact 

The PPWR will require companies to change how they manage packaging information and internal workflows. Several operational areas will be affected: 

1. Packaging data collection 

Most companies lack full, accurate packaging data today. Many do not know: 

• which materials are used, 
• what polymers or fibers packaging contains, 
• the source and level of recycled content, 
• recyclability performance, 
• or which suppliers provide which components. 

To comply with the PPWR, companies must collect this information in a structured, traceable way. This requires a new level of coordination across procurement, sustainability, packaging development, and regulatory teams. 

2. Supplier collaboration 

Supplier engagement becomes essential. Companies must: 

• request detailed information from suppliers, 
• verify data for accuracy, 
• resolve inconsistencies, 
• and track missing or late responses. 

Suppliers outside the EU may be unfamiliar with PPWR rules, which can create delays and additional effort. A clear process and consistent communication are critical. 

3. Reporting and documentation 

The PPWR introduces strict information requirements. Companies must be able to provide: 

• technical documentation for each packaging item or family, 
• a Declaration of Conformity (DoC), 
• correct labeling, 
• and supporting evidence for recyclability, recycled content, and minimization. 

This documentation must be complete, up‑to‑date, and accessible at any time for market surveillance authorities. 

4. Cross‑functional coordination 

PPWR compliance is not a single-team task. Companies must align: 

• packaging development (R&D), 
• procurement, 
• sustainability, 
• logistics, 
• legal and regulatory affairs, 
• quality, 
• and IT. 

Without clear governance, compliance efforts can become slow and fragmented. 

>> Check out our PPWR Readiness Guide for a future-proof PPWR compliance roadmap. 

Why the impact is significant 

The PPWR sets a new standard for packaging compliance. Many companies must rethink their packaging strategy, update systems, and establish long-term processes for collecting, maintaining, and verifying packaging data. The regulation is also phased, meaning new requirements will roll out between 2026 and 2040, making PPWR a continuous compliance challenge rather than a one‑time project. 

What does PPWR change? 

The PPWR brings major changes to how packaging must be designed, produced, labeled, and documented. These rules apply to all packaging placed on the EU market and introduce new sustainability and information requirements that companies must meet. Below is a clear overview of the 8 key changes. 

1. New rules for packaging design and recyclability 

Design for Recycling 

All packaging must be designed so it can be collected, sorted, and recycled into new material. Packaging will be assigned recyclability grades (A, B, C), and by January 1, 2030, all packaging must reach at least grade C (70% recyclability). By January 1, 2038, most packaging must reach at least 80% recyclability. 

Recyclability at scale 

By January 1, 2035, packaging must be recyclable at scale. This means it must be sortable and recyclable without disrupting existing recycling streams. 

Material requirements 

Packaging must be designed so its materials can become high‑quality secondary raw materials that replace virgin materials. This includes design changes to reduce complexity, avoid incompatible materials, and simplify recycling. 

2. New minimum recycled content requirements 

Plastic packaging must contain post‑consumer recycled content. The required percentage depends on the type of packaging and increases over several years: 

• Mandatory percentages start on January 1, 2030. 
• Higher percentages apply from January 1, 2040. 

The exact levels vary by packaging type and format and will be detailed further in delegated acts. 

3. Rules for packaging minimization 

The PPWR introduces strict rules to make packaging lighter and more efficient: 

• Packaging must use only the amount of material needed for its function. 
• The maximum empty space ratio is 50% starting January 1, 2030. 
• Sales packaging must reduce empty space to the functional minimum starting February 12, 2028. 

This will affect packaging formats, shipment packaging, e‑commerce packaging, and grouped packaging. 

4. Reuse and refillable systems 

The PPWR introduces reuse and refill targets for certain categories, including food and drink containers and transport packaging. Some categories must transition to reusable solutions, with targets applying from January 1, 2030, and higher targets applying from January 1, 2040. 

Consumers in the takeaway sector must also have access to reusable packaging or the option to bring their own containers starting February 12, 2027. 

5. Restrictions and bans on certain packaging types 

From January 1, 2030, some single‑use packaging types will be banned or heavily restricted if they serve no essential function or are primarily decorative. Examples include certain single‑use plastic formats listed in Annex V. 

Innovative packaging may receive temporary exemptions but must still meet PPWR principles. 

6. New compostability rules 

Only specific packaging types may be compostable. The PPWR limits compostability to justified use cases, such as: 

• sticky labels on fruits and vegetables, 
• tea and coffee bags. 

These items must meet compostability criteria by February 12, 2028. All other packaging must be designed for material recycling, not composting. 

7. New labeling requirements 

Labeling becomes harmonized across the EU. Packaging must include: 

• material composition labeling, 
• disposal guidance, 
• information on reuse or deposit systems when applicable, 
• labeling for reusable packaging by August 12, 2029. 

Harmonized labels apply from August 12, 2028. 

8. New reporting and documentation obligations 

The PPWR introduces strict information requirements. Manufacturers must complete: 

• a conformity assessment, 
• technical documentation for each packaging item or family, 
• an EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC). 

These documents must be stored for 5 or 10 years (depending on packaging type) and must be provided to authorities upon request. Importers and distributors must collect and store these documents when they are not the manufacturer. 

These new rules mean companies need structured packaging data, reliable supplier information, and ongoing updates to stay compliant. 

>> Check out our PPWR Compliance Guide for a practical walkthrough of the EU framework and objectives and get a clear picture of your obligations.

Why PPWR compliance is a data challenge 

The PPWR does not only change packaging design rules. It also creates an enormous data challenge for companies. To comply, businesses need accurate, complete, and traceable packaging information. Many companies do not have this today. That is why data, not design, is often the first real barrier to PPWR readiness. 

Below are the three core data challenges companies face under the PPWR. 

1. PPWR is a packaging data challenge 

Most companies do not have a full overview of their packaging. In many cases: 

• packaging specifications are incomplete or outdated, 
• material data is scattered across systems or documents, 
• internal teams do not know which packaging is used where, 
• and there is no single source of truth that brings everything together. 

This lack of visibility makes it hard to understand which requirements apply, what information is missing, and where the biggest risks lie. Because the PPWR requires conformity assessments, companies must know exactly what each packaging item is made of and how it performs against PPWR requirements. 

2. PPWR is a supplier data challenge 

To meet PPWR requirements, companies rely heavily on supplier information. Suppliers must provide: 

• material composition, 
• substances of concern, 
• recycled content details, 
• recyclability information, 
• and other data needed for the conformity assessment and technical documentation. 

However, suppliers often: 

• do not have structured data, 
• are unfamiliar with PPWR requirements (especially outside the EU), 
• respond slowly or inconsistently, 
• or share data in PDFs or emails that are hard to process. 

This causes delays and makes it difficult to verify information or maintain a reliable database. Because each economic operator has different responsibilities, companies must clearly understand their role for each packaging item and collect the right data from the right partners. 

3. PPWR is a documentation challenge 

The PPWR introduces strict documentation requirements. Manufacturers must:

• perform a conformity assessment, 
• create technical documentation, 
• issue an EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC), 
• and keep documentation for 5 or 10 years depending on packaging type. 

Importers and distributors must collect and store these documents when they are not the manufacturer. The problem is that many companies today do not have the systems or processes needed to create and maintain this documentation at scale. Data is often stored in spreadsheets, files, or emails, making it hard to consolidate, update, or retrieve when authorities request it. 

Why all of this matters 

PPWR compliance depends on reliable, traceable, and complete data. Without it, companies cannot complete conformity assessments, create technical documentation, issue declarations of conformity, or meet labeling requirements. The PPWR is a long-term framework, and information will need frequent updates, making manual processes unsustainable. 

This is why building a strong data foundation is one of the most important steps for PPWR readiness. 

From data to DoC – How osapiens HUB for Product Compliance Supports the full PPWR compliance journey 

The PPWR requires companies to collect reliable packaging data, engage suppliers at scale, and create complete technical documentation and Declarations of Conformity (DoCs). Many companies struggle with these steps because their data is scattered, incomplete, or not updated regularly. This is where the osapiens HUB for Product Compliance helps. It supports the entire PPWR workflow from data collection to documentation and ongoing transparency. 

The osapiens HUB is built to help companies turn unmanaged packaging data into structured, compliant, automated, and repeatable processes. 

1. Integrated PPWR data collection 

The osapiens HUB automates PPWR data requests based on the company’s role in the supply chain. It collects all required information from internal teams, suppliers, and manufacturers, including: 

• material composition, 
• substances of concern, 
• recycled content, 
• recyclability information, 
• and data needed for labeling and documentation. 

The HUB ensures each packaging item or family receives the correct PPWR data fields, reducing manual effort and avoiding errors. 

2. Free‑of‑Charge Supplier Portal 

The HUB includes a supplier portal that allows suppliers to submit packaging information in a structured, intuitive format. This supports companies with: 

• consistent data input, 
• clear workflows, 
• fewer email exchanges, 
• and better data quality. 

This is especially important because many suppliers (especially non‑EU) are unfamiliar with PPWR requirements. The portal helps guide them through the process. 

3. Consolidated documentation for every packaging item 

The HUB automatically consolidates all collected information into a central data record. This record becomes the basis for: 

• technical documentation, 
• Declarations of Conformity, 
• labeling information, 
• and other PPWR-relevant outputs.

Because the PPWR requires manufacturers to create technical documentation and DoCs for each packaging item or family, the HUB ensures these documents can be created efficiently and kept up to date. 

4. Seamless integration with existing systems 

Companies can connect their ERP, PLM, and other core systems by using HUB connectors and REST APIs. This allows companies to: 

• import packaging master data, 
• import bills of materials, 
• feed enriched PPWR data back into internal systems. 

This helps create a single source of truth for packaging data and reduces duplicate work. 

5. Scalable setup for today and future regulations 

PPWR is not a one‑time project. New delegated acts, new recycling criteria, and new content requirements will be introduced in the coming years. The HUB supports a long‑term compliance setup by allowing companies to: 

• build a central data pool now, 
• update supplier information regularly, 
• maintain up‑to‑date documentation, 
• and expand to future requirements like the Digital Product Passport (DPP). 

This makes PPWR compliance a repeatable process rather than a manual, reactive task. 

Why the osapiens HUB is your reliable, end-to-end PPWR solution 

The regulatory landscape is moving fast. The PPWR and the upcoming Digital Product Passport require real‑time, connected, and verifiable product data. Manual spreadsheets and scattered files can’t deliver this at scale. The osapiens HUB provides: 

• one central platform, 
• automated workflows, 
• complete transparency across the value chain, 
• and long-term compliance support.

It transforms PPWR compliance from a complex, data‑heavy challenge into a manageable and efficient process. 

>> Streamline PPWR data collection, supplier collaboration and documentation on one central platform. Join leading sustainable companies that trust osapiens HUB for Product Compliance & Transparency today.