What is the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation?

Dutch term: Verpakkingenverordening | Legal basis: Regulation (EU) 2025/40

The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR, Regulation (EU) 2025/40) replaces the earlier Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive and establishes harmonised rules for the sustainability, labelling, collection and recycling of packaging placed on the EU market. It introduces mandatory recycled content targets, recyclability requirements, restrictions on certain packaging formats and a harmonised labelling system.

Key obligations include minimum recycled content percentages (phased in from 2030), design-for-recycling requirements, restrictions on single-use packaging for specific use cases, mandatory deposit-return systems for beverage containers, and digital labelling through QR codes. Extended producer responsibility (EPR) obligations for packaging are strengthened and harmonised across member states.

Why it matters for international businesses

For manufacturers, importers and online sellers placing packaged products on the EU market, the PPWR creates new compliance obligations that interact with product-specific regulations and with the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation.