Regulation (EU) No 2025/40 of 19 December 2024 , known as “PPWR”, was published in the Official Journal on 22 January 2025. The regulation enters into force on 11 February 2025 and will be applicable from 12 August 2026.
All packaging and materials are covered by these obligations.
The objectives and main actions of the regulation are as follows:
- Reduce the production of packaging waste.
- Promote a circular packaging economy in a cost-effective manner.
- Encourage the adoption of recycled content in packaging
- Harmonize rules within the Union
The main topics covered by the regulation are:
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REDUCTION OF PACKAGING AND WASTE :
Minimization and restrictions on certain packaging formats
By 1 January 2030 at the latest, packaging must be designed in such a way that its weight and volume are reduced to the minimum necessary to ensure its functionality, taking into account its shape and the material from which it is made.
Packaging that does not comply with the performance criteria set out in Annex IV will be prohibited. This includes packaging designed to increase the apparent volume of the product, including double walls, false bottoms, and unnecessary layers.
Harmonised standards will be developed to define the calculation and verification method for minimising packaging by 12 February 2027. These should specify, for the most common types and formats of packaging, the appropriate maximum weight and volume limits and, where appropriate, the maximum thickness and void space .
For bulk/transport/e-commerce packaging, empty space must be reduced to the minimum necessary to ensure the functionality of the packaging (empty space rate < 50%). Air cushions, bubble wrap, and filling sponge are considered empty packaging.
On 12 February 2028, the Commission is empowered to adopt implementing acts to establish the method for calculating the empty space rate, taking into account the specific characteristics of packaging.
As of January 1, 2030, single-use cosmetic packaging in hotels is banned. Also banned is the use of plastic point-of-sale packaging designed as convenience packaging to encourage consumption.
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RECYCLABILITY:
All packaging designed for recycling by 2030 and recycled at scale by 2035
By January 1, 2030, all packaging placed on the market must be designed to be recycled.
To this end, design criteria for recycling by packaging category and performance classes A, B, C will have to be established by delegated act before 2028 based on standards .
By 1 January 2035, all packaging placed on the market must be recyclable on a large scale (annual quantity of recycled materials >55% in the EU)
To this end, a method for assessing recycling on a scale must be established by implementing act before 2030.
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RECYCLED PLASTIC CONTENT:
Minimum recycled plastic content requirements by 2030 and 2040 for all packaging containing plastic
The plastic portion of a package must contain a minimum percentage of recycled content, from post-consumer recycling, by type and format of packaging detailed in Table 1 of Annex II, calculated as an average per manufacturing plant, and per year: (compostable packaging not concerned).
From January 1, 2030, the minimum share of recycled material must be:
- 30% for contact-sensitive packaging (including cosmetic packaging) whose main component is polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
- 10% for contact-sensitive packaging made from plastic materials other than PET
- 35% for other plastics
From January 1, 2040:
- 50% for contact-sensitive packaging (including cosmetic packaging) whose main component is polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
- 25% for contact-sensitive packaging made from plastic materials other than PET
- 65% for other plastics
By 31 December 2026, the Commission shall adopt delegated acts to define the sustainability criteria for material recycling technologies and implementing acts establishing the method for calculating and verifying the percentage of recycled content.
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SUBSTANCES PRESENT IN PACKAGING:
Reduce negative impacts on the reuse and recycling of materials or on chemical safety
SVHC substances should be minimized in packaging.
The Commission, assisted by ECHA, must prepare a report on the presence of substances of concern in packaging by 31 December 2026 to assess the risk to human health and the environment and the need for further restrictions.
The sum of the lead/cadmium, mercury, and hexavalent chromium contents in packaging and packaging components must not exceed 100 mg/kg.
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REUSE:
Reuse targets for beverages, food and EIC
There are no targets for household cosmetic packaging. However, there is an obligation regarding professional packaging:
Transport or sales packaging used for the transport of products within the territory of the Union:
- 2030: 40% of total packaging to be reusable packaging covered by a reuse system
- 2040: 70% of all packaging is reusable packaging covered by a reuse system
Ex: Pallets, folding plastic boxes, boxes, trays, buckets, drums, cans
By 30 June 2027, the Commission shall adopt implementing acts establishing the method for calculating the reuse targets. Economic operators shall submit a report containing, for each calendar year, data on the achievement of the reuse targets to the competent authority.
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HARMONIZATION OF MARKINGS:
Requirements for marking sorting and reuse instructions
A key measure of the PPWR is the harmonised labelling of packaging and waste bins to facilitate the correct disposal of packaging waste by consumers. By 12 August 2028, packaging placed on the market must bear a harmonised label containing information on the materials it is made of, to facilitate sorting by consumers.
Implementing acts must be adopted by 12 August 2026 to define a harmonised label and specifications for labelling requirements and formats and to establish a method for identifying the materials that make up the packaging.
Reusable packaging placed on the market from February 12, 2029, must bear a label informing users that the packaging is reusable.
Neo Cosmetics helps you research and select your packaging. To find out more: https://www.neo-cosmetique.fr/co-conception/
Sources:
Documents:
- FEBEA Webinar: PPWR CYCLE#3 PUBLICATION OF THE REGULATIONS JANUARY 24, 2025
- COSMED: EU document – REGULATION ON PACKAGING AND PACKAGING WASTE
- REGULATION (EU) 2025/40 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 19 December 2024 on packaging and packaging waste, amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 and Directive (EU) 2019/904, and repealing Directive 94/62/EC.
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/FR/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202500040