The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is a binding EU-wide regulation that entered into force in February 2025 and begins applying in August 2026. It requires all packaging placed on the EU market to be recyclable by design by 2030, sets mandatory recycled content targets for plastic packaging, limits empty space in e-commerce packaging to 50%, bans PFAS in food contact packaging, and harmonizes eco-modulated EPR fees across all member states. Any company that places packaged products on the EU market — including US brands exporting to Europe — must comply.
By Kevin Kai Wong, Managing Partner, gCurv Technologies
Packgine tracks your entire portfolio against every PPWR obligation from a single dashboard.
Feb 2025
PPWR enters into force
Aug 2026
Core obligations begin applying
2028
Harmonized labeling requirements
2030
Recyclability Grade C minimum; recycled content targets
2035
10% packaging waste reduction vs 2018
2038
Recyclability Grade B minimum
2040
15% waste reduction; higher PCR targets
All packaging graded A to E. Grade C minimum by 2030, Grade B by 2038. Grade E banned from 2030.
By 2030: 10% PCR for food-contact plastic, 35% for other plastic, 30% for PET bottles. Targets increase by 2040.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances banned in food contact packaging from August 2026.
E-commerce and transport packaging must not exceed 50% void space ratio by 2030.
Harmonized fee criteria across EU. Lower fees for recyclable, high-PCR packaging; premiums for hard-to-recycle formats.
5% by 2030, 10% by 2035, 15% by 2040 compared to 2018 baselines.
Content reviewed by Kevin Kai Wong, Managing Partner at gCurv Technologies
Score your packaging portfolio against PPWR recyclability grades, track recycled content, and model eco-modulated fee impacts.