PPWR: What are the new packaging regulations and what are they?

Once upon a time, product packaging was just a means of protecting, transporting or displaying a product. Today, however, it is at the heart of the European strategy for sustainability, the circular economy and waste reduction.

In this context, the PPWR comes to significantly change the way in which companies design, use, distribute and document their packaging. The new regulation concerns companies that produce, import, package or place products on the European market and creates new requirements around recyclability, recycled content, packaging minimization, labelling and data tracking.

What is PPWR?

PPWR stands for Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation and is the new European regulation on packaging and packaging waste.

This is Regulation EU 2025/40, which replaces the previous Directive 94/62/EC and forms a more uniform framework of rules for all businesses that place packaged products on the European Union market.

Looking at the volume of waste produced each year, we will understand the deep need for a new regulation.

According to Eurostat, in 2023, 79.7 million tonnes of packaging waste were generated in the European Union, an amount corresponding to 177.8 kg per inhabitant. Although the total amount decreased compared to 2022, it remains higher than the levels of previous years, showing that packaging management continues to be a significant challenge for the European market.

PPWR responds to this challenge by setting new requirements for the design, use and management of packaging with the aim of reducing waste, enhancing recycling and reuse, and ensuring that businesses can document their compliance with reliable data.

Which companies are affected by the PPWR?

The PPWR affects a wide range of companies operating in the European market and using packaging at any stage of the production, storage or distribution of their products.

The new regulation requires, among others, manufacturing companies, importers, food and beverage companies, pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies, retail and wholesale companies, e-shops, as well as logistics and distribution companies to adapt.

Compliance does not only concern companies that manufacture packaging but also concerns those that have packaged products on the market, as they must be able to know, monitor and document the materials, batches, use and distribution of their packaging.

What does PPWR change in practice for businesses?

With the implementation of PPWR, businesses are required to address packaging not only as a functional or commercial element, but also as part of their overall compliance.

The design, selection of materials, storage, handling and documentation of packaging now take on greater importance. The key changes concern the recyclability of packaging, the use of recycled content, the reduction of unnecessary packaging, correct labeling and the need to collect reliable data for control and reporting purposes.

This means that businesses will need to have a better picture of which materials they use, in which products they are applied, with which batches they are associated and how they are moved within the supply chain.

At this point, traceability becomes a key tool for organizing, monitoring and documenting compliance.

The key changes brought by PPWR

PPWR introduces a series of new requirements that directly affect the way businesses design, select, use and manage their packaging.

The changes are not limited to packaging materials, but also extend to labeling, documentation, data tracking and the ability to comply with reliable information.

Mandatory recyclability of packaging

One of the most important requirements of PPWR is that packaging should be designed in a way that allows for recycling. This means that businesses will need to reconsider the materials they use, the design of their packaging and the ability to separate or process it after use.

Use of recycled content

The new regulation also emphasizes the use of recycled materials, especially in plastic packaging. For businesses, this creates a need for better monitoring of materials, suppliers and batches, so that they can know and document the composition of their packaging.

Reducing unnecessary and excessive packaging

The PPWR also aims to reduce excessive packaging. Businesses will have to ensure that the weight and volume of packaging are limited to what is necessary, without affecting the protection or functionality of the product.

New labelling and information requirements

With the new rules, packaging labelling becomes more important. Businesses should provide clear information about packaging materials and their proper management, to facilitate sorting, recycling and consumer information.

More data and compliance documentation

Compliance with PPWR requires organized and reliable data. Businesses should be able to track which materials they use, in which packaging they are applied, with which batches they are associated, and how they are moved through the supply chain.

At this point, traceability becomes a key tool for proper organization and documentation.

The Role of Traceability in PPWR Compliance

Traceability allows a business to track the progress of its products, materials and batches at every stage of its operation. From the procurement of raw materials and packaging materials, to production, storage, handling and final disposal, the business can know what was used, where it was used and how it is linked to each product.

In the case of PPWR, traceability does not only concern the final product, but also its packaging. A business needs to know which packaging material was used, from which supplier it came, to which batch it was applied, what characteristics it has and what data is required for control or reporting purposes. Without organized traceability, this information can be scattered across different files, departments or manual processes.

This increases the risk of errors, delays and incomplete documentation. On the contrary, when information is centralized in a single digital environment, the business gains better control, greater transparency and more direct access to the data it needs to meet new requirements.

How can an ERP or WMS/MES system help with PPWR compliance?

Adapting to PPWR is not just a matter of regulatory compliance. It is also a matter of properly organizing business processes. A modern ERP system or a WMS/MES system can help a business accurately track its materials, batches, warehouse movements, production processes and shipments.

In this way, data related to products and packaging does not remain fragmented, but is linked together within an organized system.

Through digital process monitoring, a business can know which packaging materials are used, which products they correspond to, how they are handled and what data is needed to document compliance.

Hubin, through integrated ERP and WMS/MES solutions, supports businesses in better organizing their production, warehouse and supply chain, offering the possibility of full traceability of their data.

For businesses that are called upon to respond to new requirements, such as those brought by PPWR, the existence of reliable and readily available data can make the difference between a difficult, manual process and a more controlled, organized and efficient operation.

PPWR significantly changes the framework around packaging and packaging waste in the European Union.

Businesses are called upon to adapt to new requirements regarding recyclability, the use of recycled materials, the reduction of unnecessary packaging, labeling and compliance documentation.

To respond effectively, it is not enough to just change the materials or design of their packaging. They need to have a complete picture of their data and be able to monitor every stage of production, storage and distribution.

In this new environment, traceability becomes a key factor in compliance and business organization. With the right digital solutions, businesses can better prepare, reduce errors and gain greater control over their processes.