The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) aims to cut packaging waste by 15% by 2040 compared to 2018 levels. It establishes harmonized EU-wide rules, replacing the varied national approaches under the old directive. The regulation officially entered into force on February 12, 2025, with an 18-month transition period before it becomes fully applicable.

This means your business must comply with most new requirements by August 12, 2026. Key measures include stricter limits on heavy metals like cadmium and lead, which must be below 100 mg/kg in any packaging component. The regulation also bans packaging with high levels of PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances) above 25 parts per billion from August 2026. These initial requirements set the stage for a series of phased-in targets affecting every aspect of your packaging design and logistics.

A central pillar of the PPWR is ensuring all packaging on the EU market is recyclable by 2030. By December 31, 2025, member states must achieve a 65% recycling rate for all packaging waste, with specific targets like 50% for plastic and 75% for paper. The regulation goes further, demanding that by 2035, all packaging must demonstrate it can be recycled at scale.

The PPWR also mandates minimum recycled content in new plastic packaging from 2030. For instance, most plastic packaging will need to contain at least 30% recycled material. These targets require a fundamental shift in material sourcing and supply chain management. For more on how these changes affect your obligations, see our guide on Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging.

Here are the key recycled content targets for plastic packaging effective from January 1, 2030:

• Contact-sensitive packaging (excluding single-use beverage bottles) made from PET must contain at least 10% recycled content.
• Single-use plastic beverage bottles must contain a minimum of 30% recycled content.
• Other plastic packaging must incorporate at least 35% recycled material.

These requirements tighten further by 2040, with the ‘other plastic packaging’ category rising to a 65% recycled content mandate. Now is the time to secure your supply of recycled materials.

The PPWR introduces aggressive targets to promote reusable packaging systems. For transport packaging used between company sites, 100% must be reusable by 2030. For sales and overpacks, at least 40% must be part of a reuse system by 2030, a figure that climbs to 70% by 2040.

Waste minimisation is another key focus, with a ban on unnecessary packaging. Starting in 2030, the empty space in B2B and B2C shipment packaging cannot exceed a 50% ratio. This rule forces a complete re-evaluation of box sizes and void-fill materials. The regulation also bans specific single-use plastic formats, such as those for small fresh fruit and vegetable packs under 1.5kg. You can learn more about the broader context in our article on the German Packaging Act.

To improve consumer sorting and increase recycling quality, the PPWR mandates a new, harmonized labeling system across the EU. By 2028, packaging must feature labels indicating its material composition and reusability status. This includes clear symbols and, in many cases, a QR code providing detailed disposal and reuse information.

These labels are not optional; they are a core part of the compliance framework. By 2030, information on substances of concern within the packaging material must also be included on the label. Incorrect labeling can be treated as a compliance failure, leading to penalties. For a deeper dive into current rules, read our post on mandatory packaging labeling in the EU. Preparing for these changes requires coordination between your design, production, and compliance teams well before the 2028 deadline.

The transition to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation is not a distant event; the first major deadline is less than two years away. Companies that delay action risk significant fines, market access denial, and supply chain disruptions. The complexity of redesigning packaging, establishing reuse systems, and securing a supply of recycled materials requires strategic planning that must begin today.

Waiting until 2026 to address these comprehensive requirements is not a viable strategy. You must assess your current packaging portfolio against every aspect of the PPWR, from material composition to structural design and labeling. This is a complex task that requires specialized knowledge of the regulation’s 100-plus articles. For an overview of the regulation, see our explanation: What is the PPWR in Germany?

To avoid penalties and ensure a smooth transition, you must act now. If you have not yet started preparing for the PPWR, your business is already behind schedule. Contact Deutsche Recycling today for an expert consultation to bring your company into compliance as quickly as possible. Our specialists manage the entire process, from analysis to implementation, guaranteeing 100% legal conformity and letting you focus on your core business.