EU Council formally adopts Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation

The European Council formally adopted the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), meaning that it will come into force in EU law.

The EU Council's approval of the Regulation, as the final step in the ordinary legislative procedure, allows it to be published in the Official Journal of the EU; in turn, its rules will apply 18 months after it comes into force.

It is hoped that these rules will reduce the generation of new waste by covering the entire life cycle of packaging.

The targets of the Regulation include minimum recycled content thresholds, ranging from 10% for contact-sensitive packaging made of non-PET plastics in 2030 to 65% for single-use plastic bottles in 2040. The amount of recycled content in the packaging, the material composition and other sustainability-related information must be provided to consumers through labels, markings and information on the packaging.

Industry players will be expected to minimize the weight and volume of their packaging, as well as their use of relevant substances, which includes food contact packaging containing PFAS above a certain threshold.

Single-use plastic packaging will be restricted to pre-packaged fruit and vegetables weighing less than 1.5kg; food and drink filled and consumed on-site in hotels, bars and restaurants; individual condiment packets, including sauces, creamers and sugar; and very lightweight plastic bags, such as those sold on the market for groceries; and small, single-use cosmetics and toiletries provided by hotels and other accommodation.

In addition to the indicative targets for 2040, reuse targets for 2030 have also been set. These vary by packaging type, but include a provision that takeaway businesses must allow consumers to bring their own containers to fill with hot or cold drinks or prepared foods at no extra charge.

For a comprehensive look at the progress of the regulation, including reactions from packaging industry players, check out our comprehensive guide to the proceedings during 2023 and 2024.

In a poll of European Packaging Audience, 32% of respondents said they had "little knowledge" or "no understanding at all" of the regulation's digital implications. We published a report on breaking the "huge administrative burden" by Alexander Reitz from PreZero International, recommending the use of digital solutions like the PreZero Spot tool.

Anna Perlina, sustainable packaging consultant at Integrity Solutions, also spoke to Packaging Europe about her advice for complying with regulations, starting with designing for recycling and considering material choice, but she noted the commercial risks of reducing packaging and suggested companies look for other ways to catch the consumer's eye.