On January 22, 2025, the European Union officially released the "Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations" (PPWR). This new regulation, known as the "strictest packaging law in history" by the industry, officially came into effect on February 11, 2025 and will be fully implemented from August 12, 2026.
This regulation covers all packaging types and materials, involving core requirements such as hazardous substance restrictions, recyclability grading, recycled material content, packaging minimization, labeling standards, and disposable packaging bans. Export enterprises must attach great importance to these requirements.
PPWR Core Requirements
1. Limit values for harmful substances: heavy metals+PFAS
Starting from August 12, 2026, the amount of lead, cadmium, mercury, and hexavalent chromium in all packaging shall not exceed 100mg/kg;
PFAS control: Starting from August 12, 2026, the PFAS content in food contact packaging must comply with the following limits:
The PFAS limit only applies to food contact packaging. Although PFAS testing is not mandatory for non food packaging at present, attention should be paid to the general compliance trends of materials.
2. Recyclability classification
From August 12, 2026 to January 1, 2030 is a transitional period, during which all packaging must be recyclable and comply with the old directive (94/62/EC) and EN 13430 standards.
Starting from January 1, 2030, the recyclability must reach A/B/C levels (with a recyclability rate of ≥ 70%). If it falls below 70%, it will be considered technically non recyclable and restricted from being marketed.
Starting from January 1, 2038, the recyclability must reach level A/B (recyclability rate ≥ 80%), and level C is directly prohibited from being marketed.
3. Requirements for recycled plastic content
Contact sensitive PET packaging (excluding disposable beverage bottles) must reach 30% by 2030 and 50% by 2040.
Contact sensitive non PET packaging (excluding disposable beverage bottles) must reach 10% by 2030 and 25% by 2040.
Disposable beverage bottles must reach 30% by 2030 and 65% by 2040.
Other plastic packaging must reach 35% by 2030 and 65% by 2040. Plastic components that account for less than 5% of the total weight of the packaging unit are exempt.
4. Packaging reduction
Starting from 2030, packaging must minimize weight and volume while ensuring functionality. Designs that only increase visual volume, such as double walls, false bottoms, and unnecessary additional layers, will be strictly limited. For e-commerce packaging, combination packaging, and transportation packaging, the maximum void ratio should not exceed 50% in principle.
5. Packaging labels and identification
Starting from August 12, 2028, all packaging must be labeled with a unified label based on material composition for consumers to classify and place. The packaging also needs to be labeled with EPR registration number, EU authorized representative information, etc.
6. Ban on disposable plastic packaging
Starting from January 1, 2030, the use of specific types of disposable plastic packaging is prohibited, including packaging for fresh fruits and vegetables, food and beverage packaging in restaurants, single serving condiments (such as condiments, sauces, cream, sugar), specialized micro packaging for toiletries, and very light plastic tote bags (with a wall thickness of less than 15 microns);
Terminal retailers of beverages and takeaway food will be required to provide consumers with the option of bringing their own containers, with a requirement to provide no less than 10% of products in reusable packaging by 2030;
