Packages and closures for packaging

PPWR: Transition Period and Key Changes Until 2030

We are currently in the transition period of the PPWR - what comes next?

We already know that The European Union is introducing groundbreaking regulations on packaging and packaging waste, namely Regulation (EU) 2025/40 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 December 2024 on packaging and packaging waste, commonly known as the PPWR. The purpose of this document is to harmonise and tighten the rules previously in force under Directive 94/62/EC. The new rules will apply directly across the entire EU without the need for transposition into national law, ensuring greater consistency and clarity.

The PPWR entered into force on 11 February 2025, initiating a transition period lasting until 12 August 2026, allowing Member States and businesses to adapt to the new requirements.

The main provisions of the regulation will become applicable as of 12 August 2026. On this date, Directive 94/62/EC will be repealed.

2026 - A Year of Key Guidelines

By the end of 2026, the European Commission will adopt implementing and delegated acts necessary for the rollout of the PPWR. In particular, by the end of 2026, the Commission will establish the methodology for calculating and verifying the percentage of recycled content in packaging. It will also set sustainability criteria for plastic recycling technologies and prepare a report on substances of concern in packaging. The report assess the extent to which the presence of certain substances (e.g., contaminants or additives) hinders the reuse or recycling of packaging materials.

Further changes in 2027

The next stage will follow in February 2027. By 12 February 2027, all EU Member States must put in place national rules on penalties for non-compliance with PPWR requirements. This is also an important milestone for the HoReCa sector: from that date, customers must be allowed to use their own reusable containers for take-away food and beverages. Every consumer will have the right to request their meal or drink to be packed into their own container under the same conditions as when using single-use packaging.

What will 2028 bring?


In this year, an important rule will come into force - the unified labelling of packaging. A requirement will be introduced to place a standardised label on packaging (with certain exceptions) a indicating the packaging material to help consumers sort waste correctly. Additionally, packaging containing substances of concern must include a digital identifier (e.g., a QR code) providing consumers with information on appropriate waste handling.

These labelling requirements will apply from August 2028 (or up to 24 months after the publication of the relevant implementing acts - whichever occurs later). The new marking system will replace the current national material-identification labels.

2029 - Deposit Return System


The PPWR introduces strict requirements for the collection of beverage packaging, supporting the targets originally set out in the SUP Directive (Single-Use Plastics, also known as the “plastic directive”). In 2029, Member States must ensure selective collection of at least 90% per year of single-use plastic beverage bottles and metal beverage cans (up to 3 litres). In practice, this means the operation of deposit return systems, unless a country has already achieved at least 80% collection by 2026 and, by 1 January 2028, has notified the European Commission of an alternative plan to reach 90% through other measures.

The Year 2030 - Fundamental Changes 


The year 2030 will bring fundamental changes. From 1 January 2030, all packaging placed on the market must be recyclable. Compliance with the recyclability requirement will be assessed based on eco-design criteria and the assignment of packaging to Category A, B or C. Category A covers fully recyclable packaging, Category B includes conditionally recyclable packaging that requires further technological development or increased processing capacity, Category C refers to non-recyclable packaging, the placing of which on the market will be prohibited from 2030, with the exception of narrowly defined sensitive applications. Only a limited number of specific packaging applications are exempt from this obligation, for example, packaging for infant food or specialised medical nutrition. These sensitive product categories have been granted temporary exemptions and may comply with recyclability requirements at a later stage.

From the same date, the first minimum recycled-content thresholds for plastic packaging will also come into force. Each plastic component of packaging placed on the market must contain, on an annual average basis, a defined minimum percentage of post-consumer recycled content. The required share will depend on the type of packaging: 30% for sensitive packaging made of PET, 30% for plastic beverage bottles, 10% for sensitive packaging made of plastics other than PET, 35% for all other plastic packaging.

1 January 2030 will also mark the introduction of requirements to minimise packaging volume and weight. From 2030 onwards, all packaging must meet the principle of minimum necessary mass and volume. Packaging must be as small and as light as possible while ensuring adequate product protection - oversized or “empty” packaging will be prohibited. A limit on empty space in grouped, transport and e-commerce packaging will also be introduced: the free space between the product and the outer packaging must not exceed 50% of the total volume. In practical terms, this means the end of shipping small items in oversized boxes filled with air.

Polpak Packaging - your partner in implementing future-ready solutions


Do you want your packaging to be fully compliant with the PPWR? We’re here to support you. We offer refill systems, the option to incorporate PCR (post-consumer recycled materials) into your products, as well as monomaterial dispensers and closures designed with true recyclability in mind. Every solution undergoes thorough testing in our Quality Control department. At the same time, we continuously research and develop new concepts to expand our portfolio with PPWR-aligned products.

The new regulations are already a reality. Failure to adapt to the PPWR may lead to higher costs, sales limitations and the loss of competitive advantage.