PPWR Guide – What do the new EU requirements mean for you as a packaging buyer?

What does this mean for you?

As a company that uses or sells packaged products, you will gradually face higher requirements for:

• Recyclability: Requirements for packaging to be recyclable. Takes effect August 12, 2026, with stricter requirements from January 1, 2030.
  • Affects, among other things, material choice, construction, and documentation on recyclability.
• Reduced material usage: Packaging should be designed to avoid unnecessary materials and excessive packaging. Effective August 12, 2026.
• Recycled content: Plastic packaging is gradually being subject to requirements regarding a certain percentage of recycled material. Effective January 1, 2030.
• Documentation and Traceability: Companies need to be able to provide technical information, material data, and relevant documentation. Effective August 12, 2026.
• Chemical substances: Restrictions on certain substances, including PFAS in food packaging. Effective August 12, 2026.

Please note: Not all details of the PPWR have been finalized yet. The European Commission will clarify certain technical requirements, methods, and formats through future decisions, guidelines, and standards. Therefore, it is important to monitor developments and update the documentation as new information is published.

How does Pronova help you?

We are actively working to ensure that our packaging meets current and future requirements under the PPWR by offering:

• Material Specifications: Clear information about the type of material, its composition, and its technical properties.
• Declaration of Conformity (DoC): Documentation showing that the packaging meets the relevant requirements.
• Post-consumer recycled (PCR) content: Information about the percentage of recycled material in the plastic packaging, if any.
• Recyclability: Documentation describing how the packaging is designed for material recycling.
• Traceability and Technical Documentation: Compiled information that supports the customer's own documentation, follow-up, and compliance.

What should you consider when choosing packaging?

• Design for Recycling: Choose packaging that is designed for recycling.
• Documented material content: Request information about recycled materials and relevant material data.
• Resource-efficient design: Avoid unnecessary materials, excessive packaging, and solutions that are difficult to justify from a functional standpoint.
• The Right Requirements for the Right Use: Ensure that the packaging meets the current requirements for your market, product, and intended use.