PPWR explained simply – the new EU Packaging Regulation
The new regulation will already come into force on 26 August 2026....
What the new EU Packaging Regulation means – and how we at Ströbel are preparing
The new EU packaging regulation, PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation), will change the packaging industry over the coming years.
Many companies are currently asking similar questions:
- What exactly is the PPWR?
- Who does it affect?
- From when will it apply?
- And what does that mean in concrete terms for our day-to-day business?
As a supplier of packaging solutions within the meaning of the PPWR, Ströbel is actively addressing these topics. In this article, we provide an overview of the PPWR, explain the key roles along the supply chain—and show how we are aligning our internal processes to make relevant information available.
Note: The measures described are for general information purposes and relate to our internal processes. They are not an assessment, approval, or legal advice for specific products or customer applications and do not replace an individual legal review by the party placing the product on the market.
What is the PPWR?
The PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation) is the new EU packaging regulation “Regulation (EU) 2025/40”, which replaces the previous directive. It applies uniformly and directly in all EU Member States and aims to reduce packaging waste, strengthen recycling, and promote the circular economy.
The focus is on:
- reducing packaging waste
- improving recyclability
- using recycled materials
- clear labelling and information obligations
In short: packaging is expected to become more resource-efficient, more recycling-friendly, and more transparent.
Which packaging does the PPWR cover?
The PPWR applies to nearly all packaging placed on the market in the EU—regardless of the material (plastic, paper, composites, etc.).
Ströbel products that are excluded include, for example:
- desiccants
- transport monitoring
- humidity indicator cards / indicator strips
- rust removers
These product groups are currently not covered by the regulation.
When is a product considered packaging under the PPWR?
Under the PPWR, what matters is not the shape or the material, but the intended use.
A product is considered packaging if it serves to:
- protect another product,
- hold it together,
- enable transport or sale, or
- present the product at the point of sale.
Important: material or reusability do not matter—what matters is the purpose alone.
Which roles exist under the PPWR—and why does it matter?
Why roles matter
The PPWR clearly defines who is responsible for which obligations in the packaging process—and these do not necessarily align with a company’s title or function. From a compliance perspective, it is crucial to understand your role correctly, because it determines who must provide which data, prepare which documents, and fulfil which obligations.
Key roles at a glance
1) Supplier
A supplier produces packaging elements or components and supplies them to a producer or manufacturer.
Typical tasks:
- providing material and recycling data
- sharing information along the supply chain
2) Producer
A producer manufactures packaging or has it manufactured, or assembles packaging elements into a packaging unit. By filling the packaging, they give it its final form.
Tasks:
- ensuring the packaging meets the requirements
- passing relevant product data to the manufacturer
- preparing the declaration of conformity
3) Manufacturer
The manufacturer places the finished packaging or the packaged product on the market for the first time.
Tasks:
- registration
- preparing the declaration of conformity
- where applicable, paying extended producer responsibility (EPR) fees
👉 Many companies can hold several roles at the same time. Each role comes with its own obligations and must be clearly distinguished under the PPWR.
When does the PPWR apply? – Understanding the timeline
The PPWR will be introduced in stages and further developed through 2030.
- 12 August 2026 – the regulation starts to apply (first binding requirements, e.g. data and documentation obligations).
- From 2028 – additional requirements (e.g. technical specifications, material classifications).
- By 2030 – all packaging should in principle be recyclable; minimum standards as well as recycled-content and design requirements will be further specified and/or tightened.
This makes it clear: the regulation will not take effect fully on a single date, but rather establishes a multi-year adjustment and implementation framework.
How is Ströbel preparing for the PPWR?
1. Analysing and optimising our packaging
We systematically review our packaging solutions with regard to:
- material composition
- recyclability
- potential for material reduction
Our goal is to provide reliable data and technical information that our customers can use to meet their own obligations.
2. Close collaboration with suppliers & customers
A reliable and transparent data base is the foundation of a PPWR-compliant supply chain. That is why we work closely and in partnership with our suppliers.
In practical terms, this means:
- We request relevant material and recycling data from our suppliers in a targeted manner.
- We review evidence of recycled content carefully and transparently.
- We structure and prepare the information so it is clearly and efficiently available to our customers.
An open exchange with our customers is just as important to us. Only through close cooperation can responsibilities be clearly defined and each role within the PPWR be determined unambiguously. We actively support our customers and are available to advise them.
Our call to action:
Contact us early. Together, we will clarify requirements, roles, and data needs and develop tailored solutions for your PPWR-compliant packaging concepts.
In addition, we are a member of the Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackung e. V. Through close collaboration within the association, we stay technically up to date and incorporate this knowledge directly into our customer projects.
3. Documentation, monitoring & information obligations
Our measures include:
- building technical documentation for data sharing
- preparing internal systems for upcoming information requirements
- ongoing monitoring of technical detailed rules (e.g. exemptions, verification obligations, delegated acts)
4. Labelling [& customer information
Where it makes sense, we ensure:
- clear product and packaging labelling
- easy-to-understand guidance on use and data interpretation
- additional information on the website and in customer communications
5. Training [& internal knowledge
Training already completed and ongoing ensures that our team communicates about the PPWR confidently, consistently, and transparently.
What does the PPWR mean in practice for our customers?
Above all, the PPWR leads to more information and evidence obligations for companies placing products on the market, manufacturers, and retailers. However, it can also be seen as an opportunity to make packaging more sustainable and future-proof.
We support our customers by:
- providing robust material and recycling data
- technically classifying packaging solutions
- providing guidance on data sharing along the supply chain
- defining roles within the PPWR together
Our aim is to be a reliable supplier and a competent point of contact—within our clearly defined role under the PPWR. Feel free to get in touch!
Conclusion: PPWR as a shared journey
The PPWR presents the packaging world with new challenges, while at the same time creating clear guardrails for more sustainable packaging solutions.
At Ströbel, we continuously work on further developing our products, processes, and information in line with the PPWR—transparently, in a structured way, and step by step.
Disclaimer:
This blog post reflects the status of the PPWR at the time of publication and is intended solely for general information purposes. It does not claim to be complete or permanently up to date.
Changes, additions, or new interpretations of the PPWR that take effect or become known after this article is published are not part of this post and will not be added retroactively.
This post is not updated or maintained on a regular basis. The applicable legal provisions and official publications by the competent authorities are always decisive.
This article does not replace legal or regulatory advice and does not create any liability or obligation.
📚 Sources [& further information on the PPWR
- EU legal text on the PPWR (Regulation (EU) 2025/40)
Official legal text of the European Union on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR):
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2025/40/oj/eng - European Commission – Packaging and packaging waste (PPWR)
Overview of objectives, scope, and implementation of the new EU packaging regulation:
https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/waste-and-recycling/packaging-waste/packaging-packaging-waste-regulation_en - IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen e.V.
https://kunststoffverpackungen.de/
💡 Note for the article
The sources listed are provided for further information and reflect the status of public discussion and legislation at the time of publication.