What does the PPWR mean for your food packaging?
In brief
The European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) has applied since 12 August 2026. Not all requirements take effect at once: the biggest changes come in the years leading up to 2030.
What already applies today is that you must be able to demonstrate that your packaging complies. That calls for a conformity assessment, technical documentation and an EU Declaration of Conformity.
INTOPACK supplies that evidence for the packaging you buy from us, and thinks ahead with you about what is coming in the years ahead.
What is the PPWR?
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is the new European packaging legislation designed to reduce packaging waste, increase recycling, raise the share of recycled material and improve the recyclability of packaging. The regulation replaces the previous European Packaging Directive and introduces, for the first time, a harmonised legal framework for packaging across the European Union.
The regulation affects virtually every organisation placing packaged products on the European market. Manufacturers, brand owners, packaging producers and importers all face new responsibilities relating to compliance, recyclability, documentation and circularity.
Where our packaging stands
Most of our packaging is based on injection-moulded polypropylene (PP), a material that is widely accepted within existing sorting and recycling streams.
In addition, we continuously assess our solutions against:
- the current European packaging standards EN 13428 and EN 13430;
- existing recyclability guidelines;
- the KIDV Recyclecheck issued by Verpact (Netherlands);
- ongoing developments within the PPWR;
- market developments relating to food-grade recycled material.
This allows us to identify potential risks and optimisation opportunities at an early stage. Although the final European DfR criteria are still being developed, current indications are that our packaging solutions will continue to align well, over the longer term, with the direction in which the legislation is evolving.
Recycled content and food contact
For food packaging, food safety always comes first.
The PPWR encourages the use of recycled material while recognising that food-contact applications present specific challenges. Where suitable food-grade recycled streams are not sufficiently available, the regulation allows for exemptions.
At INTOPACK, food safety is not an additional consideration but the foundation of our business.
Our production site works to the highest standards for food-safe manufacturing and is certified to the BRCGS Packaging Materials Standard with an AA rating. This allows us to combine sustainability with the demanding requirements the food industry places on food-contact packaging.
What has applied since 12 August 2026?
The PPWR became applicable on 12 August 2026. That does not mean every future requirement applies straight away, but packaging must meet a number of important basic obligations.
Conformity assessment
Packaging must be assessed to establish whether it meets the relevant PPWR requirements. That assessment forms the basis for further documentation and compliance.
EU Declaration of Conformity
The party acting as 'manufacturer' under the PPWR must be able to demonstrate that the packaging meets the applicable obligations. This is set out in an EU Declaration of Conformity.
Technical documentation
Supporting evidence is becoming increasingly important. This covers information on materials used, composition, food-contact applications, recyclability and relevant test results.
Substance restrictions
Food-contact packaging is now subject to restrictions on PFAS. In addition, the presence of certain substances of concern is being assessed ever more closely within European legislation.
Clear allocation of responsibilities
The PPWR sets out explicitly which responsibilities apply to manufacturers, physical producers, brand owners, importers, distributors and packaging suppliers. This creates greater transparency throughout the supply chain.
What comes next?
The PPWR will be extended in phases. For many organisations the greatest impact falls in the years leading up to 2030 and beyond.
Design for Recycling (DfR)
Packaging must be demonstrably designed for high-quality recycling. The European Design for Recycling criteria are currently being developed further. The European Commission has indicated it will adopt them by early 2028 at the latest. The obligations are expected to apply from 2030 onwards.
Recyclability performance grades
Packaging will be given a performance grade based on its recyclability. Packaging that performs insufficiently may in time face restrictions on market access. From 2038 the requirements become more stringent.
Recycled content
Minimum percentages of recycled material will be introduced for plastic packaging. For food-contact packaging, the PPWR takes into account the availability of suitable, food-grade recycling technologies. Where such technologies are not available or have not reached sufficient scale, the obligation will not apply.
European labelling
Current national systems will make way for harmonised European labelling for waste separation and material identification. This should help consumers separate packaging in the same way throughout the European Union.
Waste reduction and circularity
The EU wants to generate structurally less packaging waste and keep packaging in circulation for longer. This translates into additional requirements around packaging minimisation, reuse, recycling and circular design.
How can INTOPACK help you?
PPWR compliance starts with the packaging itself.
As a manufacturer of plastic packaging for the food industry, we have expertise in:
- materials;
- design;
- food-contact legislation;
- production processes;
- recyclability;
- logistics;
- future packaging developments.
That allows us to translate legislation directly into the packaging you actually use. Not from theory, but from practice.
What can you expect from INTOPACK?
In a personal conversation we look together at how your current packaging aligns with the PPWR. Topics that may come up include:
- Which packaging do you use today, and which regulations apply to it?
- How does your packaging align with existing recyclability guidelines and future DfR developments?
- Where are the possible concerns around material use, decoration, labelling or future obligations?
- Which developments are relevant to your applications, and when might recycled material start to play a part?
- Are there opportunities for weight reduction, logistics optimisation or improved recyclability?
- Which steps are relevant today, and which developments can you simply keep watching for now?
Frequently asked questions about the PPWR
Do I need to change my current packaging?
Not necessarily.
Many existing INTOPACK packaging solutions can remain suitable in the future as well. It is advisable, though, to gain early insight into how a pack aligns with future developments around recyclability, Design for Recycling and possible recycled-content targets.
Is INTOPACK's injection-moulded packaging ready for the PPWR?
Many of our current packaging solutions align well with the direction in which European legislation is developing. When developing and assessing packaging we take into account:
- EN 13428 (prevention and packaging optimisation);
- EN 13430 (recycling of packaging);
- existing recyclability guidelines;
- the KIDV Recyclecheck issued by Verpact (Netherlands);
- developments within the PPWR;
- market developments around food-grade recycled material.
Because the definitive European DfR criteria have not yet been set, future classifications cannot be guaranteed in advance. We do follow developments actively and assess our packaging continuously against the most recent insights.
Who is responsible for PPWR compliance?
The PPWR distinguishes several roles within the supply chain, including manufacturers, brand owners, importers, distributors and packaging suppliers.
Which obligations apply depends on an organisation's specific role. Good cooperation and transparency throughout the packaging chain are therefore essential.
Is INTOPACK automatically responsible for the PPWR compliance of my packaging?
No. Legal responsibilities depend on the role an organisation fulfils within the chain. In many cases part of the obligations rests with the brand owner or the party placing the packaging on the market. INTOPACK supports customers with the packaging information, documentation and technical knowledge they need.
Does INTOPACK packaging contain PFAS?
All INTOPACK packaging falls within the applicable limits. The PPWR introduces restrictions on PFAS in food-contact packaging. INTOPACK follows this legislation actively and can support customers with information on material compositions and relevant legal requirements.
How does INTOPACK safeguard food safety?
Food safety is the foundation of our business. Our production site is certified to the BRCGS Packaging Materials Standard with an AA rating. This means our production processes meet the high requirements placed on packaging for the food industry.
What does the PPWR mean for IML packaging?
IML (In-Mould Labelling) remains a widely used and high-quality decoration technique for food packaging. However, under the PPWR, the packaging will be assessed as a whole. Therefore, when developing new solutions, we evaluate not only the PP base material, but also the impact of labels, inks, colours and decorative elements on the recyclability of the complete packaging.
Is PP packaging easy to recycle?
Polypropylene (PP) is widely accepted within existing European sorting and recycling streams and therefore forms a strong basis for recyclable packaging. Recyclability is assessed at pack level, however: material choice, colour, decoration, labels, additives and the overall construction all play a part.
Will recycled material become mandatory?
The PPWR introduces minimum percentages of recycled material for certain plastic packaging. The exact obligations differ per packaging type. For food-contact packaging, the legislation takes into account the availability of suitable, food-grade recycling technologies.
Can recycled material be used safely in food packaging?
That depends on the available recycling technology, the quality of the recycled material and its legal approval for food-contact applications. Food safety always comes first. We therefore follow developments around food-grade recycled material closely and continuously assess which solutions are technically, legally and commercially feasible.
How can I tell whether my packaging is future-proof?
Although many PPWR obligations will be worked out further in the years ahead, it can be wise to review packaging now against recyclability, material use, food-contact legislation, packaging weight, logistics efficiency and future Design for Recycling developments. INTOPACK can help with a practical assessment of your current packaging and any opportunities to optimise it.
What is the PPWR?
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is the new European packaging legislation. Its aim is to reduce packaging waste, encourage recycling, increase the use of recycled materials and make packaging better suited to a circular economy. The regulation replaces the previous European Packaging Directive and creates a single harmonised framework for packaging within the European Union.
When does the PPWR apply?
The PPWR has applied across the European Union since 12 August 2026. Not all obligations take effect immediately. Many requirements are introduced in stages during the years leading up to 2030 and beyond.
Which obligations apply from 12 August 2026?
From this date, packaging must meet a number of basic obligations: a conformity assessment, technical documentation, an EU Declaration of Conformity, compliance with relevant substance restrictions and clear responsibilities within the supply chain. Evidence, documentation and transparency are therefore becoming steadily more important for organisations placing packaged products on the market.
What changes in the run-up to 2030?
The greatest impact of the PPWR is expected in the years leading up to 2030. Key developments include the European Design for Recycling criteria (DfR), recyclability performance grades, minimum recycled content for certain plastic packaging, harmonised European waste-sorting labels and additional requirements for packaging minimisation and circularity. The European Commission will work out the details of several elements over the coming years.
What is Design for Recycling (DfR)?
Design for Recycling means designing packaging so that it can be sorted, recycled and reused as raw material efficiently. The European Commission is currently developing harmonised DfR criteria. These will play an important role in how packaging is assessed within the European market in future.
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