---
title: "PPWR Regulation: what is it, obligations and deadlines for businesses"
description: "PPWR Regulation (EU) 2025/40: what it is, who it applies to, obligations already in force from 12 August 2026, deadlines up to 2040, and what to do now."
image: https://page.greenfutureproject.com/hubfs/blog-regolamento-PPWR-cos%C3%A8-obblighi-e-scadenze-per-le-imprese2-2.png
---

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# PPWR Regulation: what is it, obligations and deadlines for businesses

settembre 22, 2026

## **What we’ll cover in this article:**

- [What the PPWR is](https://page.greenfutureproject.com/making-impact-possible-a-green-future-project-blog/ppwr#what-is-ppwr)
- [Objectives](https://page.greenfutureproject.com/making-impact-possible-a-green-future-project-blog/ppwr#objectives)
- [How it works](https://page.greenfutureproject.com/making-impact-possible-a-green-future-project-blog/ppwr#how-ppwr-works)
- [Who it applies to](https://page.greenfutureproject.com/making-impact-possible-a-green-future-project-blog/ppwr#who-is-applied-to)
- [Milestones 2026–2040](https://page.greenfutureproject.com/making-impact-possible-a-green-future-project-blog/ppwr#main-milestones)
- [Packaging and green claims](https://page.greenfutureproject.com/making-impact-possible-a-green-future-project-blog/ppwr#ppwr-green-claims)
- [What businesses need to do](https://page.greenfutureproject.com/making-impact-possible-a-green-future-project-blog/ppwr#what-business-need-to-do)
- [FAQ](https://page.greenfutureproject.com/making-impact-possible-a-green-future-project-blog/ppwr#FAQ)

---

The PPWR Regulation, i.e. Regulation (EU) 2025/40, is the European legislation on packaging and packaging waste. It has applied since 12 August 2026 in all Member States and has replaced Directive 94/62/EC.

At the heart of the Regulation is a shift in perspective on the way packaging is conceived, produced and used. Simply looking at the life cycle of a piece of packaging is enough to raise a question: how much of what we produce is designed to become waste a few minutes after use?

Despite often having a very short life cycle, packaging requires raw materials, energy, production processes and logistics, just like the product it contains. This is why the PPWR shifts the focus from waste management to design: materials, recyclability, reuse and the reduction of unnecessary packaging, before the packaging even reaches the market.

 

## What is the PPWR Regulation (EU) 2025/40

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is the new Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste. It entered into force on 11 February 2025 and has applied since 12 August 2026. Its aim is to harmonise rules across Member States, reduce packaging waste, encourage the reuse and recycling of materials and support the transition to a circular economy.

### Regulation or directive: what changes compared with Directive 94/62/EC

Whereas a directive must be transposed by each Member State and may be applied differently from one country to another, a regulation is directly applicable throughout the European Union. For this reason, unlike the previous Directive 94/62/EC, the PPWR introduces a substantial change in packaging legislation, as from 12 August 2026 the same rules apply in all 27 Member States.

For you, this means uniform requirements for packaging intended for the European market, with effects on product development, purchasing, production and compliance management.

 

## What are the objectives of the PPWR?

The **Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)** aims to prevent the generation of packaging waste, reduce the consumption of raw materials, improve the quality of recycling and, at the same time, strengthen the market for secondary raw materials.

The PPWR is based on three strategic objectives:

- **Reducing packaging waste at source:** preventing waste generation by eliminating unnecessary packaging and optimising the weight, volume and design of packaging.
- **Promoting the reuse of packaging:** increasing the use of reusable and refillable systems to extend the life cycle of packaging and reduce the consumption of raw materials.
- **Ensuring high-quality recycling:** ensuring that packaging is designed to be effectively collected, sorted and recycled, and increasing the use of recycled materials in new packaging.

To measure progress towards these objectives, the PPWR introduces binding targets for reducing per capita packaging waste compared with 2018 levels:

- **-5% by 2030**
- **-10% by 2035**
- **-15% by 2040**

To achieve these targets, the PPWR introduces new packaging design requirements, minimum recycled content quotas, reuse targets and restrictions on certain types of single-use packaging.

 

## How the PPWR Regulation works

To achieve the objectives of the PPWR Regulation, the directive has introduced new requirements applicable to packaging placed on the European Union market. The measures cover the entire life cycle of packaging, from design to production, through to reuse, recycling and end-of-life management.

The Regulation is built around five pillars:

### Recyclability and classes A, B, C

From 2030, all packaging must comply with design-for-recycling criteria and be classified according to its recyclability performance (classes A, B or C). Only packaging that meets the minimum requirements laid down by the Regulation, i.e. class C with at least 70% recyclable by weight, may be placed on the market.

### Minimum recycled content

Plastic parts must contain minimum quotas of post-consumer recycled content: from 10% to 35% by 2030 and from 25% to 65% by 2040, depending on the format.

### Reuse and refill

The PPWR sets reuse targets from 2030 for transport packaging, grouped packaging and certain beverages, and promotes refill systems. Specific provisions apply to takeaway food service.

### Reduction of unnecessary packaging

Weight and volume must be kept to a minimum. From 2030, empty space may not exceed 50% in grouped, transport and e-commerce packaging, and certain single-use plastic formats are banned.

### Substances: PFAS and heavy metals

This is the pillar that already applies. Since 12 August 2026, a limit of 100 mg/kg has applied to the sum of lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium in all packaging, together with PFAS limits for food-contact packaging.

## Who the PPWR Regulation applies to

### Primary, secondary and tertiary packaging

The PPWR applies to all packaging placed on the European Union market, regardless of the material it is made of – plastic, paper and cardboard, glass, metal, wood, textiles or ceramics. It covers packaging intended for sale that is in contact with the product (primary packaging), packaging used to group several units (secondary) and packaging for transport and logistics (tertiary). Service packaging, capsules, pods and tea or coffee bags are also included.

### Businesses in the supply chain and SMEs

The PPWR Regulation also involves the entire packaging supply chain: manufacturers, producers who use packaging to market their own products, importers, distributors, logistics operators and the HORECA sector, i.e. hotels, restaurants, bars, cafés and catering services, for which specific provisions on reuse and takeaway containers apply.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are also subject to the PPWR. Although the Regulation provides for some exemptions or greater flexibility for specific reuse targets, all businesses will have to ensure that the packaging they place on the market complies with the new requirements laid down by the legislation.

 

## What are the main milestiones of the PPWR Regulation?

The PPWR will be applied gradually through a series of deadlines up to 2040. Each phase will introduce new technical requirements and obligations for businesses.

The key milestones are:

**12 August 2026 – The PPWR becomes applicable**  
The PPWR Regulation becomes applicable. Among others, the obligations relating to the declaration of conformity and technical documentation, limits for PFAS and heavy metals, packaging identification and extended producer responsibility (EPR) come into force.

**12 August 2028 – Harmonised labelling**  
The harmonised packaging labelling requirements apply, with information on material composition to facilitate separate collection (Art. 12).

**1 January 2030 – New packaging requirements**  
 New requirements come into force on recyclability (at least class C), minimum recycled content in plastic packaging, a maximum empty space limit of 50%, restrictions on certain single-use formats and the first reuse targets. EPR fees are also modulated according to recyclability.

**2035 – Recyclability at scale**  
 It will no longer be enough for packaging to be designed to be recyclable: it will have to be actually recycled at scale, through supply chains and infrastructure capable of recovering the material.

**2038 – Stricter recyclability requirements**  
 Only packaging in recyclability classes A and B may be placed on the market.

**2040 – Final targets**   
The targets for recycled content and reuse increase. Member States will also have to achieve a 15% reduction in per capita packaging waste compared with 2018.

![Infographic PPWR - ENG](https://page.greenfutureproject.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Infographic%20PPWR%20-%20ENG.png?width=635&height=408&name=Infographic%20PPWR%20-%20ENG.png)

The PPWR Regulation already applies, but the compliance journey does not end on 12 August 2026. The upcoming deadlines require interventions with long lead times: redesigning packaging, changing materials or renegotiating supplier contracts can take months or years. Checking the obligations already in force today and planning your 2030 choices now reduces the risk of non-compliance.

[Request more information](https://page.greenfutureproject.com/book-a-demo-blog-eng?utm_source=organic_blog_ppwr)

 

## The PPWR Regulation and green claims

The PPWR also introduces new rules for environmental claims relating to packaging. Information shown on packaging must be consistent with the requirements set out in the Regulation and supported by verifiable technical evidence.

For example, claims such as ‘**recyclable packaging**’ may only be used if the packaging meets the recyclability criteria set out in the PPWR. Likewise, environmental symbols, labels or claims must not mislead consumers or attribute environmental characteristics that cannot be substantiated.

These provisions complement the [**Directive (EU) 2024/825**](https://page.greenfutureproject.com/making-impact-possible-a-green-future-project-blog/directive-eu-greenwashing), known as the European anti-greenwashing directive, which strengthens consumer protection by prohibiting the use of generic, misleading or unsubstantiated environmental claims. Together, the PPWR and Directive 2024/825 aim to make environmental communication more transparent, verifiable and consistent across the European Union.

## What businesses need to do now under the PPWR Regulation

With the PPWR applying since 12 August 2026, businesses must already comply with a series of obligations relating to packaging conformity, documentation and end-of-life responsibility.

**Prepare the declaration of conformity and technical documentation.**   
Every type of packaging placed on the market must have an EU declaration of conformity (Art. 39 and Annex VIII), based on the technical documentation required under Annex VII. Suppliers must provide the data needed to demonstrate conformity (Art. 16).

**Fulfil EPR obligations.**   
Whoever first makes packaging available on the market of a Member State must register and contribute to end-of-life management (Arts 44–45). In Italy, CONAI membership and the Environmental Contribution remain in force.

**Check the PFAS limits for food-contact packaging.**

**![PFAS-limits-for-food-contact-packaging](https://page.greenfutureproject.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PFAS-limits-for-food-contact-packaging.png?width=1374&height=492&name=PFAS-limits-for-food-contact-packaging.png)**

**Manage stock correctly.**   
Packaging already placed on the market before 12 August may continue to be sold. Stock does not need to be destroyed or necessarily relabelled, and any missing information can be provided in an accompanying document. PFAS limits, however, apply to food-contact packaging placed on the market after 12 August.

**Need support with PPWR compliance?**

[Contact our team](https://www.hubspot.com/)

## FAQs about the PPWR

### **Who must comply with the PPWR?**

The entire supply chain: manufacturers, producers placing packaged products on the market, importers, distributors, logistics operators and the HORECA sector. SMEs are included, with flexibility limited to certain reuse targets.

### **Does the PPWR replace Directive 94/62/EC?**

Yes. Unlike the Directive, the regulation is directly applicable in all Member States, without the need for national transposition.

### What PFAS limits does the PPWR set?

For food-contact packaging, from 12 August 2026: 25 µg/kg for any single PFAS and 250 µg/kg for the sum of PFAS, measured by targeted analysis, and 50 mg/kg for total PFAS, including polymeric PFAS.

## How to prepare for the PPWR

If you need to map your packaging, check declarations of conformity or set your material choices for 2030, Green Future Project Group supports businesses in interpreting the PPWR Regulation and defining operational priorities. We support you at every stage of the process: from mapping your packaging to preparing the technical file, from assessing recyclability to verifying compliance with the chemical requirements of the PPWR, including PFAS and heavy metals.

[Get in touch to learn more](https://page.greenfutureproject.com/book-a-demo-blog-eng?utm_source=organic_blog_ppwr)

 

**Tags:** 

[Legislation,](https://page.greenfutureproject.com/making-impact-possible-a-green-future-project-blog/tag/legislation) [PPWR](https://page.greenfutureproject.com/making-impact-possible-a-green-future-project-blog/tag/ppwr)

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