What is the PPWR?
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is a new EU regulation that came into force on June 23, 2025, replacing the former Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (94/62/EC). This regulation sets ambitious goals to reduce packaging waste, improve recyclability and reusability and drive the transition towards a circular economy for packaging.
The PPWR introduces harmonized rules across all 27 EU Member States and affects businesses throughout the supply chain – from producers and importers to retailers and e-commence platforms.
Key requirements of the PPWR
The regulations introduce a wide range of obligations:
Design for Recycling (DfR):
All packaging must meet recyclability standards by 2030.
Minimum recycled content:
Plastic packaging must include at least 30% recycled content by 2030 (and up to 65% by 2040).
Single-use plastic bans:
Several types of single-use packaging – such as plastic packaging for fresh produce, condiments and hotel toiletries – will be banned by 2030.
Reuse system:
Retailers and takeaway providers must offer reuseable packaging formats and accept consumer – owned containers (starting 2026)
Labelling requirements:
Mandatory labels indicating recyclability, composability and substances of concern.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR):
Producers are responsible for the full life cycle of packaging, including collection, reporting and financing of waste management.
Why it matters to your business
Whether you’re a retailer, brand owner, importer or packaging supplier, the PPWR brings major challenges and responsibilities – but also real opportunities:
- Increased demand for accurate data across the supply chain.
- Stricter obligations for recyclability, reuse and wase reduction
- Legal and financial consequences for non-compliance.
- Legel and financial consequences for non-compliance.
- Growing consumer and investor expectations around transparency and sustainability.
Preparing early means turning compliance into a competitive advantage
How ImpactBuying supports PPWR compliance
ImpactBuying helps businesses prepare, implement and monitor their compliance journey under the PPWR.
We provide both the tools and expertise needed to meet the regulation’s evolving requirements, from 2025 through to 2040.
Our approach includes:
- Collecting and validating supplier data on packaging composition, recyclability and reused content.
- Managing and analyzing this data via our platforms.
- Keeping our systems aligned with the regulation timeline, including key updates in 2026, 2028 and 2030.
- Supporting supplier engagement and data assurance activities.
- Ensuring audit readiness through verifies and traceable documentation, in line with ISAE 3000 standards.
In short: we help you translate complext legal requirements into smart, data-driven action plans.
Ready to get started?
Download our whitepaper to explore what the PPWR means for your organization and how you can start preparing today.
Have questions? Our team is happy to explore how we van support your compliance strategy.