Die Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, kurz PPWR, wird den europäischen Handel grundlegend verändern. From August 2026, new, uniform rules for packaging will be enforced throughout the EU. In this blog post, we have summarized the most important areas of regulation covered by the PPWR and also discuss the extent to which our customers are already well positioned in this regard thanks to our own packaging criteria.
When will the PPWR come into effect and who does it apply to?
The EU PPWR Regulation (2025/40) came into force on February 11, 2025. However, its provisions will only take effect 18 months later, on August 12, 2026. This means that all packaging on the market after August 12, 2026 must comply with the requirements of the PPWR. This applies equally to all EU member states, i.e., without any leeway for implementation. The aim is not only to make packaging more sustainable, but also to harmonize the European single market, for example through uniform recycling symbols.
The 6 pillars of PPWR
The PPWR is quite comprehensive and covers the entire life cycle of packaging—from product design and use to disposal and recycling. It encompasses six key areas of regulation:
- Nachhaltigkeitsanforderungen
In the future, packaging must meet strict sustainability criteria. This applies to material selection, recyclability, durability, and resource efficiency throughout the entire product life cycle.
- Labeling and information
New, EU-wide uniform labeling requirements ensure transparency. Consumers should be able to see at a glance what material packaging is made of and how it should be disposed of.
- Obligations of economic operators
Manufacturers, importers, distributors, and even fulfillment service providers are being held accountable. Extended producer responsibility is being consistently implemented.
- Reduction of packaging
The regulation aims for absolute reduction—less packaging material, less waste. This applies to both quantity and unnecessary packaging.
- conformity assessment
Companies must prove that their packaging is compliant. This requires documentation, testing, and, if necessary, certification.
- Circular economy
Collection, return, and recycling are being reorganized. The goal: higher recycling rates and genuine circularity of packaging materials.
Germany was a pioneer – and remains so
While other EU countries have to set up completely new systems, German companies already have experience in this area: the reusable container requirement for takeaway food has been in force since January 2023, the extended deposit system since 2022 – and since 2024 also for milk and milk-based beverages such as Müller milk, cocoa, and kefir. With these regulations, Germany has set standards that the PPWR is now adopting across the EU.
In Germany, the previous Packaging Act is being replaced by the new Packaging Implementation Act (VerpackDG). This implements the EU requirements and specifies them at national level. The established and proven structures—dual systems, deposit returns, reusable pool systems—will largely remain in place.
So what new requirements does the PPWR impose on German companies? The 5 most important changes
Germany already has stricter regulations in many areas. The PPWR now harmonizes across the EU and brings real innovations for Germany in five areas in particular:
- Recycling rates for PET bottles
From 2026, single-use PET beverage bottles must contain at least 25 percent recycled plastic, rising to 30 percent from 2030. This is non-negotiable and applies to all manufacturers who place such bottles on the market in the EU.
Companies can meet the quota either per bottle or as an annual average across all bottles produced. The key point is that complete documentation of the recycled materials used is required—the authorities can request this at any time.
We therefore recommend obtaining information about the recycled content from suppliers as soon as possible. The market for post-consumer recycled material will become more competitive, and those who wait until 2026 to start using it could experience supply bottlenecks.
- EU-standard labeling
What was previously regulated at national level is now being harmonized. All packaging must be labeled uniformly throughout the EU: What material? How to dispose of it? Material identification is becoming mandatory.
Reusable packaging must be marked with the word “MEHRWEG” (reusable), and packaging subject to a deposit must be marked permanently, clearly legibly, and visibly. Germany already had national labels—these are now being replaced or supplemented by EU standards.
- Formalized conformity assessment
Until now, much of this has been informal. Now there is a systematic EU procedure: manufacturers must submit an EU declaration of conformity and provide comprehensive technical documentation—covering design, materials, and recyclability.
This requires new processes: Who is responsible within the company? Which external auditors will be commissioned? How will the documentation be maintained? Companies should clarify these questions now.
- Mandatory sustainability documentation
What was previously voluntary or only implemented by particularly committed companies is now becoming mandatory: life cycle assessment across the entire value chain, verification of eco-design criteria, and documentation of resource efficiency measures.
Packaging must be integrated into the documented sustainability strategy. The ecological footprint must be assessed along the entire chain—from raw material extraction to production and disposal.
- Extended material bans
PFAS coatings will be banned completely. Certain multilayer packaging will only be permitted to a limited extent. Non-recyclable packaging will be phased out. What were previously recommendations are now becoming concrete bans.
This means that German companies already have a 2-3 year head start in reusable packaging and deposits. The biggest changes are recycled content quotas, formalized conformity assessment, and EU labeling.
The double advantage with our certifications
Companies that are certified according to our standards—i.e., NCS (Natural Cosmetics Standard), NCP (Nature Care Product), Nature Thanx, or CSE (Certified Sustainable Economics)—not only have the advantage of being German pioneers, but also go one step further. This is because, among other things, packaging criteria have also had to be met for the past two years in addition to the regular standard.
Practical requirements for packaging
Our packaging criteria are based on a clear sustainability hierarchy: Avoid → Reduce → Reuse → Recyclability → Emptiness. This hierarchy serves as a guide and helps companies find the most sustainable packaging solution for their product.
However, the decisive factors are the demanding minimum requirements for recyclability, material selection, and documentation, which must be met in all cases.
For paper packaging, we require a minimum of 50 percent recycled content—the PPWR does not have a general quota for this. Raw paper materials must come from FSC- or PEFC-certified sources, and chlorine bleaching is prohibited.
We also have very specific requirements for plastic packaging: no multilayer structures (except PE/PP-EVOH with less than 5 percent EVOH), no different plastics on the front and back, and no PETG sleeves on PET bottles. These requirements ensure that packaging is recyclable not only in theory but also in practice – NIR sortability, which is essential for industrial recycling, is explicitly taken into account.
PFAS coatings have also been categorically banned by us for several years.
Documentation as an established practice
A key advantage: the documentation requirements of the PPWR are already met. We call for the integration of packaging into the documented sustainability strategy, life cycle assessment along the value chain, and regular audits with random checks.
What the PPWR will require as a conformity assessment from 2026 onwards is already in place at our customers.
Practical benefit: Less effort required for conversion
What does this mean in concrete terms? For PPWR compliance, the following now applies to certified products:
- Update labeling: EU-standardized labels instead of national ones
- Expand recyclate verification: Verify the 25% quota for PET bottles
- Formalize declaration of conformity: Fill out PPWR forms – content is available
- Adjust reporting requirements: Update registration and reports to the central office
The work our customers have invested in implementing our packaging criteria over the past two years—sustainable material procurement, recyclability, documentation, reusable systems—will pay off next year at the latest with the PPWR. What has been documented and established does not need to be rebuilt. The effort required to achieve PPWR compliance is limited more to administrative adjustments than to conceptual redesign.
Conclusion: Prepare now instead of catching up later
There is still plenty of time to make good use of the period leading up to August 2026. Those who start analyzing packaging and securing supply chains now will avoid time pressure and supply bottlenecks. The PPWR is not only a regulatory obligation, but also an opportunity to position oneself as a sustainable company—in a market that is increasingly focused on transparency and the circular economy.
Would you like to know how your packaging complies with the PPWR? Or are you interested in certification? Contact us—we will show you how to not only become compliant, but exemplary.
Frequently asked questions about the PPWR
When will the PPWR come into force?
The regulation came into force on February 11, 2025. The key provisions will take effect on August 12, 2026. From this date onwards, all packaging sold in stores must comply with the PPWR requirements.
Does the PPWR also apply to small businesses?
Yes, the PPWR applies in principle to all companies that manufacture, import, or place packaging on the market, regardless of the size of the company. There is no de minimis limit.
What happens if my packaging is not PPWR-compliant?
Non-compliant packaging may no longer be placed on the market in the EU from August 12, 2026. Violations may result in fines and, in the worst case, sales bans.
Which types of packaging are most affected?
Particularly affected are single-use PET beverage bottles (due to recycling quotas), single-use plastic food packaging (due to mandatory reuse) and packaging with PFAS coatings (due to prohibition).
Do I have to completely redesign my existing packaging?
Not necessarily. Many types of packaging already meet most of the PPWR requirements. Often, only minor adjustments are necessary: higher recycled content, new labeling, or better documentation.
How can I check whether my packaging complies with PPWR?
Take stock: What materials do you use? How high is the recycled content? Has recyclability been verified? Certification according to recognized sustainability standards can help with this.
What is the cost of switching to PPWR-compliant packaging?
The costs vary greatly depending on the initial situation. German companies have a cost advantage because reusable and deposit systems are already established. The main cost drivers are the procurement of recycled materials, new labeling, and documentation requirements.
Where can I find more information about the PPWR?
The Federal Environment Agency and the Central Agency Packaging Register (ZSVR) offer comprehensive information. Industry associations and certification bodies such as ours also provide advice on PPWR implementation.
