| Targeted audience | EU/EEA manufacturers, EU/EEA importers and their upstream providers |
| Products concerned | Packaging, packaged products |
| Key industries concerned with this insight |
Packaging |
| Application date | 12 August 2026 |
| Main content or requirements | On 22 January 2025, the EU published Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (EU) 2025/40 (PPWR). The regulation covers hazardous substances, recyclability, recycled content, packaging minimisation, empty space ratio, labeling, and restriction of some single-use packaging products. The regulation shall apply from 12 August 2026 (unless otherwise specified). |
| Reference | http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2025/40/oj |
On 22 January 2025, the EU published Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (EU) 2025/40 (PPWR), repealing the EU Packaging Directive 94/62/EC. The regulation shall enter into force on 11 February 2025 and apply from 12 August 2026 (unless otherwise specified).
The following are essential technical requirements for EU manufacturers and importers for general packaging:
| Packaging Type | Requirement | Application Date | Remark |
| All | 1. Heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg and Cr(VI)) content ≤ 100 mg/kg (0.01%) (sum) | 12 August 2026 | -- |
| 2. Conformity assessment (testing), preparation of EU declaration of conformity (DoC) and technical documentation | 12 August 2026 | -- | |
| 3(a). Register in the EU Member States’ national register(s) | 12 August 2026 or later | -- | |
| 3(b). Label of extended producer responsibility (EPR) obligation fulfillment | 12 February 2027 | -- | |
| 4. Harmonised label of material composition | 12 August 2028 or later | -- | |
| 5(a). Recyclability performance grade: A, B, C | 1 January 2030 or later | -- | |
| 5(b). Recyclability performance grade: A, B | 1 January 2038 | ||
| 6(a). Post-consumer recycled content in plastic packaging per manufacturing plant and year: ≥ 35% | 1 January 2030 or later | Does not apply to (1) compostable plastic packaging, (2) Food contact plastic packaging where the quantity of recycled content poses a threat to human health and results in non-compliance of packaged products, (3) plastic part representing < 5% of total weight of whole packaging unit. Less stringent for certain food-contact materials, exempt certain kinds of packaging |
|
| 6(b). Post-consumer recycled content in plastic packaging per manufacturing plant and year: ≥ 65% | 1 January 2040 | ||
| 7(a). Packaging minimisation (packaging weight and volume reduction) | 1 January 2030 | -- | |
| 7(b). Empty space ratio of grouped packaging, transport packaging, e-commerce packaging: ≤ 50% | 1 January 2030 or later | ||
| Food-contact | Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and fluorine (F) content: (1) Each PFAS (polymeric PFASs excluded): < 0.025 mg/kg (25 ppb). (2) Sum of PFASs (polymeric PFASs excluded): < 0.25 mg/kg (250 ppb). (3) Sum of PFASs (polymeric PFASs included): < 50 mg/kg (50 ppm). (4) Total fluorine (F): 50 mg/kg (50 ppm) (If total fluorine (F) exceeds 50 mg/kg, a proof for F quantity measured as content of either PFAS or non-PFAS shall be provided upon request) |
12 August 2026 | -- |
| Reusable | Label of reusability | 12 February 2029 or later | -- |
| Compostable | 1. Beverage bags (e.g., tea bags), sticky labels affixed to fruit and vegetables shall be industrially compostable, and if required by Member State, home compostable | 12 February 2028 | -- |
| 2. Harmonised label of disposal instruction | 12 August 2028 | -- | |
| Single-use | Restriction on: (1) certain food containers, beverage containers and cups for beverages made of extruded polystyrene (XPS). (2) shrink wrap used in airports or train stations for the protection of luggage during transport. (3) Chips of polystyrene (PS) and other plastics that are used to protect packed goods during transport and handling. (4) multi-pack plastic rings used as grouped packaging |
12 August 2026 | -- |
| 1. Restriction on single-use plastic packaging: (1) used at point of sale to group goods. (2) for < 1.5 kg pre-packed fresh fruit and vegetables. (3) for foods and beverages filled and consumed within premises in HORECA sector. (4) containing individual portions or servings and used for condiments, preserves, sauces, coffee creamer, sugar and seasoning in HORECA sector. (4) for cosmetics, hygiene and toiletry products for the use in accommodation sector. 2. Restriction on very lightweight plastic carrier bags (wall thickness < 15 µm). |
1 January 2030 | -- |
Intertek China Hardlines labs will continue to monitor the implementation of the EU PPWR and its subsequent implementing regulations and rules, to provide you with testing services and technical support in compliance with the EU packaging regulation and standards.
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