PPWR guides
A maintained library of PPWR guides written against Regulation (EU) 2025/40 and official Commission and ECHA sources. Every page states its legal basis.
Foundations
Who is bound, what has to exist, and what the documentation actually contains.
- PPWR requirements: what applies, to whom, and whenEvery core obligation in Regulation (EU) 2025/40 mapped to its article, the role it binds, its date and the evidence it needs. Evergreen, including 2026.
- The PPWR EU Declaration of ConformityWhat the EU Declaration of Conformity under Regulation (EU) 2025/40 is, who draws it up, what it must state, and the documentation behind it.
- PPWR Declaration of Conformity template, field by fieldA field-by-field walkthrough of the Annex VIII declaration structure: what belongs in each entry, common mistakes, and the evidence each field implies.
- PPWR Annex VII technical documentationAnnex VII of Regulation (EU) 2025/40 sets out the technical documentation for packaging: design, materials, applicable requirements and supporting evidence.
- PPWR Annex VIII: the declaration structureAnnex VIII sets the model structure of the EU Declaration of Conformity. How each element works, and how it connects to Article 39 and the Annex VII file.
- PPWR deadlines and timelineA structured PPWR timeline from entry into force to the 2030s: what applies on each date, which role it binds, and which items still depend on secondary acts.
- PPWR manufacturer vs producerManufacturer is a conformity role under PPWR; producer is an EPR role. They are defined separately and often sit in different companies.
- PPWR importer requirementsImporters cannot place packaging on the EU market on trust. What to verify before shipment, what to keep, and what to do when something is missing.
Materials & chemicals
Chemical restrictions that can make otherwise fine packaging non-compliant.
- PPWR PFAS and food-contact packagingPPWR restricts PFAS in food-contact packaging above set thresholds. What it covers, how it differs from the REACH PFAS work, and the evidence needed.
- PPWR substances of concernArticle 5 limits substances of concern in packaging. What is binding now, what ECHA is still preparing, and how to document substances in the Annex VII file.
Design & circularity
Recyclability, recycled content and minimisation — the design-side obligations.
- PPWR recyclability requirementsArticle 6 makes packaging recyclable by design and, later, recycled at scale. What is binding, what the delegated acts define, and what to prepare now.
- PPWR design for recyclingDesign-for-recycling criteria under PPWR, the role of harmonised standards such as EN 18120, and how to distinguish binding law from technical practice.
- PPWR recyclability gradesPPWR grades packaging by recyclability and ties market access to it from 2030. What the grades mean, when they bite, and what is still to be defined.
- PPWR recycled content requirementsMinimum recycled content targets for plastic packaging from 2030 and 2040, the calculation method still to be adopted, and the evidence chain you need.
- PPWR packaging minimisationPackaging must be reduced to the minimum weight and volume needed for functionality. The criteria, the documentation expected, and what is pending.
- PPWR empty space ratioPPWR caps empty space in grouped, transport and e-commerce packaging at 50%. How the ratio works, a worked calculation, and the methodology still pending.
Labelling & formats
Labelling, formats and the packaging types treated differently by the Regulation.
- PPWR labelling requirementsMaterial composition, sorting, reuse and deposit labelling, plus QR data carriers: what the Regulation sets and what is still pending.
- PPWR reusable packagingWhat makes packaging reusable under PPWR, the system conditions behind it, the reuse targets that phase in, and the documentation that has to support the claim.
- PPWR compostable packagingPPWR requires certain packaging formats to be compostable and treats compostability as an exception, not a default. What is binding, and what the standards add.
- PPWR single-use packaging restrictionsAnnex V prohibits specific single-use packaging formats from set dates. Which formats are listed, the exemptions that exist, and how to check your own range.
- PPWR and e-commerce packagingOnline sellers ship their own packaging. Which PPWR rules hit e-commerce hardest — empty space, minimisation, labelling and roles — and what to fix first.
- PPWR transport packagingTransport packaging is in scope of PPWR: reuse expectations, empty-space limits, and the pallet wrapping and strapping position for logistics packaging.
Implementation
What is still being written, and what to prepare for next.
- PPWR 2030 readiness2030 is where PPWR gets expensive: recycled content, recyclability grades, reuse targets and format bans. A readiness view, not another timeline.
- PPWR secondary legislation trackerA maintained tracker of the delegated and implementing acts under Regulation (EU) 2025/40: what each covers, its date, status and who it affects.