Materials & Environmental
General application date for core requirements
Mandatory recycled content targets by 2030
PFAS limit in food-contact packaging
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) establishes EU-wide rules for all packaging placed on the market. Unlike the previous Directive, the PPWR applies directly without national transposition—creating uniform requirements across all member states.
The regulation covers design for recycling criteria, mandatory recycled content in plastic packaging, reuse targets, labeling requirements, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). It also introduces PFAS restrictions in food-contact packaging effective August 2026.
Compliance requires technical documentation proving recyclability, recycled content certification, and harmonized labeling with material composition and sorting instructions.
Key Components / Sub-Frameworks
Manufacturers of packaging or packaged products sold in the EU
Importers placing packaging on the EU market
Brand owners using packaging for their products
E-commerce sellers shipping to EU consumers
Online marketplaces handling logistics for third-party sellers
Authorized representatives for non-EU producers
Key Thresholds
Your packaging supplier says the material is "recyclable." But PPWR requires proof against specific design-for-recycling criteria—by packaging category. You need technical documentation showing the packaging meets performance grades A, B, or C. Your supplier sent a marketing brochure. That's not evidence.
By 2030, your PET packaging needs 30% post-consumer recycled content. Your supplier claims compliance, but you need certified chain-of-custody documentation proving the recycled content percentage. Different suppliers use different methodologies. Some can't provide certification at all.
You're selling packaged products in 12 EU markets. Each requires separate EPR registration with different systems, fee structures, and reporting formats. Germany uses LUCID. France has CITEO. Spain has Ecoembes. Nobody knows if you're registered everywhere you're selling.
Your food packaging supplier never mentioned PFAS. But grease-resistant coatings, water-repellent treatments, and certain barrier layers can contain PFAS. The 25 ppb threshold is strict. Testing every packaging component means identifying PFAS you didn't know existed in your supply chain.
Certivo In Action
PPWR Workflow
Consumer Goods
Pain Point
High packaging volumes; PFAS in food contact; recyclability deadlines
Consumer Goods (E-Commerce)
Pain Point
50% empty space limits; reusable packaging option by 2030
Consumer Goods (Food & Beverage)
Pain Point
PFAS restrictions immediate; contact-sensitive PCR targets
Consumer Goods (Cosmetics & Personal Care)
Pain Point
Complex packaging formats; recyclability assessment challenges
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
Pain Point
Exemptions for safety; technical documentation requirements
Industrial & Heavy Equipment
Pain Point
Reuse targets for transport packaging; EPR registration
Electronics Manufacturing
Pain Point
Packaging and product compliance overlap; substance restrictions
Consumer Goods (Retail & Distribution)
Pain Point
Marketplace verification obligations; point-of-sale packaging bans
Complete Technical Documentation
Generate audit-ready technical files from validated supplier data. Stop scrambling when market surveillance authorities request proof.
80% Faster Supplier Data Collection
CORA-powered regulatory intelligence collects recyclability, PCR, and material data from your entire packaging supply chain—while your team focuses on exceptions.
Zero Market Access Surprises
Identify non-compliant packaging before deadlines hit. Know which suppliers can't meet 2030 requirements while you can still reformulate.
Key Statistics
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the PPWR actually apply?
The PPWR entered into force February 11, 2025, with general application from August 12, 2026. Key requirements phase in through 2035: PFAS limits and design rules apply 2026, harmonized labeling by 2028, recyclability and recycled content targets by 2030, and recyclable-at-scale requirements by 2035.
How does PPWR differ from the old Packaging Directive?
The PPWR is a directly applicable regulation—no national transposition needed. This creates uniform requirements across all 27 EU member states, eliminating the patchwork of national rules. The PPWR also introduces stricter recyclability criteria, mandatory recycled content targets, and PFAS restrictions not present in the Directive.
What documentation do I need to prove PPWR compliance?
Manufacturers must maintain technical documentation demonstrating compliance with design, recyclability, and substance requirements. Certivo centralizes this evidence—material composition data, recyclability assessments, recycled content certifications, PFAS test results, and labeling specifications. CORA-enabled analysis validates each document against PPWR criteria and maintains the 5-year (single-use) or 10-year (reusable) retention required.
Do recycled content requirements apply to all packaging?
No. Mandatory post-consumer recycled content targets apply specifically to plastic packaging, with different thresholds by type: contact-sensitive PET requires 30% by 2030; other food-contact plastics require 10%; non-food plastics require 35%. CORA intelligence tracks your PCR percentages by packaging type and alerts you when suppliers fall below target thresholds.
How does Certivo help with EPR registration across EU markets?
Certivo tracks your producer registration status across all EU member states where you place packaging on the market. CORA-powered regulatory intelligence monitors registration deadlines, stores certificates, and identifies gaps where you're selling but not registered—alerting you before marketplace blocks or regulatory enforcement.