PPWR - Overview of Key Obligations by Article

PPWR - Overview of Key Obligations by Article

Overview of key PPWR obligations by article. Individual milestones are displayed as obligations by year and colour-coded by type of responsibility.

  • Economic operator obligation
  • Member State obligation
  • Commission obligation
Art. 5

Requirements for Substances in Packaging

2026

The sum of concentrations of Pb, Cd, Hg and CrVI shall not exceed 100 mg/kg.

2026

The presence of substances of concern in packaging shall be minimised.

2026

PFAS will be prohibited in food-contact packaging.

2026

The Commission will prepare a report on the presence of substances of concern in packaging.

2030

The Commission will assess the need to amend the PFAS restriction.

2033

The Commission will evaluate whether requirements for substances of concern in packaging materials are sufficient.

Art. 6

Recyclable Packaging

2026

Assessment of recyclability under standard EN 13430:2004 until the relevant act is issued.

2028

The Commission will adopt design-for-recycling criteria, performance grades and rules for assessing recyclability.

2029

Eco-modulation of EPR fees based on design for recycling and recyclability performance grades.

2030

Packaging must be recyclable and achieve performance grade A, B or C.

2030

The Commission will adopt the methodology for assessing recycling at scale.

2031

Eco-modulation of EPR fees based on large-scale recycling criteria.

2035

Recyclability will be assessed based on actual recycling at scale.

2038

Packaging must be recyclable only in performance grade A or B.

Art. 7

Minimum Recycled Content in Plastic Packaging

2026

The Commission will adopt a methodology for calculating and verifying recycled content.

2026

The Commission will adopt rules for verifying the equivalence of recycled content rules from third countries.

2028

The Commission will assess the need for exemptions from recycled content requirements.

2029

Calculation and verification of the percentage of recycled content under the implementing act.

2032

The Commission will review achievement of recycled content targets and propose changes to the 2040 targets.

2040

Increase of minimum recycled content in plastic packaging.

Art. 8

Bio-based Feedstock in Plastic Packaging

2028

The Commission will review technological developments in bio-based plastics and their possible use instead of recycled content.

Art. 9

Compostable Packaging

2026

The Commission will request standardisation organisations to update harmonised standards.

2028

Mandatory industrially compostable packaging for tea and coffee bags, capsules, and labels attached to fruit and vegetables.

2028

Other packaging, including packaging made from biodegradable plastics, must be designed for material recycling.

Art. 10 + 24

Packaging Minimisation

2027

The Commission will request standardisation organisations to prepare a methodology for calculating packaging minimisation.

2028

The Commission will adopt a methodology for calculating the empty space ratio.

2028

Consumer packaging must have empty space reduced to the minimum necessary.

2030

Packaging minimisation - the necessary minimum.

2030

Grouped, transport and e-commerce packaging: empty space ratio of no more than 50%.

2032

The Commission will review the empty space ratio, exemptions, and possible ratios for consumer packaging.

Art. 11 + 29 + 31

Reusable Packaging

2025

Conditions under which packaging is considered reusable packaging.

2027

The Commission will adopt and publish rules, guidance and methodologies for the most commonly used reusable packaging formats.

2028

The Commission will adopt conditions and reporting requirements for pooling arrangements.

2030

Reuse targets - first stage.

2031

Submission of a report on the achievement of targets for the first reporting year 2030 and every year thereafter.

2040

Reuse targets - second stage.

Art. 28 + 32 + 33

Refill, HORECA and Distributors

2027

Final distributors in the HORECA sector will allow customers to bring their own container for filling.

2028

HORECA: option to use a reusable container for beverages and ready-prepared food consumed away from the point of sale.

2030

Final distributors with a sales area over 400 m2 will allocate 10% of sales area to refill stations.

2031

Submission of a report on the achievement of reusable packaging targets.

Art. 12

Packaging Labelling

2026

The Commission will adopt harmonised packaging labelling and a methodology for determining material composition.

2027

Voluntary labelling of packaging covered by EPR using a QR code or another digital marking.

2028

Mandatory harmonised labelling of material composition on packaging.

2028

Voluntary labelling of recycled content must comply with the implementing act and methodology.

2029

Labelling of reusable packaging only in systems with an operator.

2030

The Commission will adopt a methodology for identifying substances of concern.

2032

Labelling of substances of concern under the implementing act.

Art. 25 + 34 + 43

Packaging Restrictions and Waste Reduction Targets

2027

The Commission will publish guidance further specifying the prohibition of certain plastic packaging formats.

2027

The Commission will adopt a methodology for calculating packaging waste generation.

2030

Ban on selected single-use plastic packaging formats listed in Annex V.

2030

Member States will reduce packaging waste generated per capita by 5% compared with 2018.

2032

The Commission will assess the impact of packaging restrictions, the availability of alternatives, and the retention of exemptions.

2035

Member States will reduce packaging waste generated per capita by 10% compared with 2018.

Art. 44 + 56 + 57

Register, Record-keeping and Reporting

2026

The Commission will adopt the format for registration in the register and reporting by packaging type and material category.

2027

The Commission will adopt methodologies for packaging databases, annual consumption calculations and correction factors.

2028

Member States will adopt measures related to packaging databases.

2029

Expected start of new record-keeping requirements.

Art. 63

Green Public Procurement

2030

The Commission will adopt minimum requirements for public contracts for packaging and packaged products.

2031

Public contracts according to the procedures set out in the implementing act.

Art. 67

SUP Directive

2029

Ban on placing selected containers, films, void-fill material and plastic rings used as grouped packaging on the market.

Art. 68

Update of National Legislation

2027

Member States will lay down rules and penalties in national legislation and notify them to the Commission.

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