Wednesday marks the date of application for the European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. The packaging sustainability reform replaces 1994’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive.
PPWR seeks to create more policy uniformity across EU states, with phased-in requirements over the coming years related to recyclability, reuse, labeling and other targets. The Aug. 12 milestone requires that companies have a declaration of conformity attesting compliance for specific packaging.
The first main obligation relates to minimizing substances of concern, namely restricting PFAS in food-contact packaging below certain thresholds.
According to guidance in the European Commission’s frequently asked questions document updated this month, enforcement related to Aug. 12 obligations “should not disrupt trade flows, supply chains or consumer access to goods.”
If a business is found to be non-compliant, it could receive a warning from a member state and the opportunity to take corrective action. In cases where that non-compliance is not resolved, a state could then potentially prohibit, recall or withdraw the packaging in question.
“Market surveillance authorities should — rather than following a sanction-oriented approach — support the responsible economic operators in complying with the new rules, for instance with awareness-raising, requests for information or requests for corrective action with a reasonable timeline for adaptation,” the European Commission wrote.
Member states are expected to clarify their fines by Feb. 12, 2027.
The European Commission continues to work on additional implementing acts clarifying aspects of the regulation, including on recycled content methodology and related technologies, empty space ratios and other issues.
