The PPWR applies broadly to businesses that place packaging or packaged products on the EU market. This includes manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers, online sellers, fulfillment providers and non-EU businesses exporting packaged goods into the EU.
The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (EU PPWR) came into force on February 11, 2025. The general application date is August 12, 2026. This regulation replaces directive-based guidance with directly applicable legal requirements and introduces strict controls across the packaging life cycle. It aims to reduce packaging waste, ensure recyclability, limit hazardous substances and scale reuse systems.
We offer a range of fast, reliable solutions to help you maintain PPWR compliance while optimizing your supply chain and strengthening your product credibility for EU market access.
Ensure compliance with EU PPWR requirements
- Maintain access to EU markets
Minimize the risk of packaged goods being rejected at EU borders due to non-compliance.
- Avoid delays
Reduce the need for relabeling and repackaging.
- Enhance your ESG and sustainability credentials
Demonstrate that you support waste reduction and a circular economy.
- Improve relationships with retailers and distributors
PPWR compliance makes it easier to pass onboarding, procurement and sustainability checks.
- Simplify your operations
The PPWR provides a harmonized regulatory framework across all EU Member States, so you do not have to comply with different packaging rules for each country.
Discover our EU PPWR services
- Material characterization and performance testing
We validate that alternative and sustainable materials meet required mechanical and functional standards.
- Recyclability assessment
We measure real-world recycling performance in line with international methodologies.
- Plastic-free identification and compostability testing
We confirm claims for paper-based and compostable packaging.
- Recycled content (PCR) verification
We ensure data authenticity, combining laboratory analysis with on-site audits.
- Gap analysis
We review your current products to ensure they meet the requirements for compliance.
WHY SGS?
As the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, with a global network of state-of-the art laboratories and industry experts, we offer innovative solutions to help you comply with evolving regulations while meeting the demands of an increasingly sustainability conscious market.
Through our IMPACT NOW for sustainability solutions, we support your sustainability goals across four strategic pillars – climate, nature, ESG assurance and circularity, helping you meet evolving regulatory requirements and build a climate-neutral, nature-positive and pollution-free future.
FAQ
Yes. If your business fills, imports, brands, distributes or places packaging or packaged products from a third-party supplier on the EU market, you need to ensure compliance.
The main responsibility sits with the manufacturer of the packaging or packaged product, who must assess conformity, prepare technical documentation, and draw up an EU Declaration of Conformity. However, importers and distributors also have some responsibilities.
The PPWR entered into force on February 11, 2025 and generally applies from August 12, 2026.
Based on current information, key later dates are expected to include:
- August 12, 2028: harmonized packaging labeling with pictograms is expected to apply
- January 1, 2030: all packaging placed on the EU market must be recyclable, subject to limited restrictions, and packaging must be minimized
- January 1, 2035: Packaging must be recyclable at scale
- January 1, 2038: Recyclability Grade C packaging will no longer be permitted on the EU market
The PPWR requires packaging to be manufactured so that the presence and concentration of substances of concern (SoC) are minimized in packaging materials and packaging components as of August 12, 2026. This includes the main packaging material and coatings, inks, adhesives, labels, closures, liners, varnishes and other components.
There are specific market access limits for two key substance groups: the four heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium) and PFAS in food contact packaging.
The sum of lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium in packaging and packaging components must not exceed 100 mg/kg. Food contact packaging may also need to comply with other EU rules for food contact materials.
From August 12, 2026, any individual target PFAS cannot exceed 25 ppb. The sum of PFAS measured by targeted analysis cannot exceed 250 ppb, or 50 ppm (total PFAS) including polymeric PFAS.
Your business should maintain a technical file for each relevant packaging type. It should include, at minimum:
- Packaging description
- Design information
- Standards and specifications
- Compliance assessments
- Substance evidence
- EU Declaration of Conformity
Technical documentation must be retained for at least 5 years for single-use packaging and 10 years for reusable packaging and must be available to regulators on request.
The following steps will help ensure you are ready:
- Take a packaging inventory
- Identify your business’s role and assign responsibility as appropriate
- Request supplier evidence for each packaging type
- Prioritize reviewing high-risk packaging for PFAS and heavy metals
- Prepare a PPWR compliance pack for each packaging type
SGS offers a gap analysis service to ensure your products meet the requirements for compliance.