What is the PPWR and what changed on 12 August 2026?

Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste – known as the PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation) – entered into force on 12 August 2026, directly applicable in all EU Member States. It fully replaces the previous Directive 94/62/EC and, as a regulation, applies without the need for national implementing legislation.

Key changes from the effective date:

Scope: The PPWR covers all economic operators placing packaging on the market – manufacturers, importers, distributors, and online marketplaces. Companies based outside the EU that supply directly to EU end consumers are also subject to the regulation.

Labelling obligations: Packaging must bear machine-readable QR codes (preferably GS1 Digital Link) as well as standardised graphical symbols for material sorting. Requirements apply in a graduated manner according to packaging type and date of placing on the market.

Minimum recycled content: Binding minimum recycled content thresholds are established for plastic packaging, with progressively increasing quotas through 2030 and 2040.

Prohibition on excessive packaging: Certain packaging formats (e.g. oversized shipping packaging, unnecessary multiple layers) must be reduced or are prohibited on a phased basis.

Design requirements: Packaging must be recyclable according to defined criteria. From 2030, a minimum recyclability threshold applies, with market-relevant consequences for non-compliance.

For binding legal advice specific to your product and supply chain context, we recommend consulting your competent Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK).