Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation
Since 12 August 2026 an EU regulation sets the core rules for all packaging, including transport and industrial packaging of imported goods (extended producer responsibility schemes remain national).
- Reference
- Regulation (EU) 2025/40
- Status
- Applies in stages
- Sources last checked
What it is
The PPWR replaces the Packaging Directive with directly applicable rules on substances in packaging, recyclability, minimisation, labelling, reuse and extended producer responsibility. It applies generally from 12 August 2026; many design requirements phase in from 2028 to 2030 and later.
Who is affected
Manufacturers, producers, importers and distributors of packaging and packaged products — including whoever first makes packaging available in a Member State when goods are imported.
What you have to do
- Clarify who is the producer for EPR in each country and keep the licensing (in Austria: participation in a packaging compliance scheme).
- For packaging placed on the market: conformity assessment and EU declaration of conformity by the manufacturer within the meaning of the PPWR (maker of the packaging or of the packaged product, or the brand owner); importers verify.
- Check substance limits and plan for labelling and recyclability requirements.
Fact check
Not correct “Packaging rules only matter for consumer goods.”
The PPWR covers all packaging, including transport, sales and industrial (B2B) packaging.
Sources
- Regulation (EU) 2025/40 (PPWR) — Official Journal text (opens external website) ↗
- Packaging waste — PPWR overview and dates (opens external website) ↗
General information, not legal advice. Authentic are only the texts published in the Official Journal of the EU and the Austrian Federal Law Gazette.
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