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Guide to the Regulation of Packaging and Packaging Waste (PPWR)
Mon 03/08/2026 - 12:41
The packaging that reaches your customer today can decide the future of your company tomorrow
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) represents a structural change in the way packaging is designed, documented and marketed in Europe. It's no longer enough to manage waste – now you need to demonstrate compliance through design. Regulation (EU) 2025/40 is not just another regulation in the European bureaucratic sea: it is a radical transformation that will affect all packaged products marketed in the European Union from 2026 onwards.
From the manufacturer of electronic components to the food distributor, from e-commerce platforms to cosmetics producers, no company that uses packaging will be able to remain insensitive to this change. The PPWR sets binding reduction, reuse and recyclability targets that will revolutionise the design, production and management of packaging in the coming years.
From 12 August 2026, some of the first obligations of the Regulation begin to apply. In particular, the packaging must comply with the requirements related to PFAS substances and heavy metal limits, as well as have the technical documentation and the EU Declaration of Conformity that accredits compliance with the requirements established by the PPWR.
Given that failure to comply with these obligations can lead to significant penalties, understanding the PPWR is no longer optional: it is about the survival and competitiveness of companies in the European Single Market.
A specialized guide to help you understand the scope of the new Packaging Regulation (PPWR)
At SOCOTEC we have prepared a comprehensive guide so that you understand all the new features involved in the Packaging Regulation (PPWR) and can confidently prepare for the regulations from August 2026.
Beyond understanding the requirements, the real challenge is collecting technical information from suppliers, assessing the conformity of your packaging and preparing the necessary documentation. That's why our guide offers you a practical step-by-step guide: from diagnosing your obligations to implementing sustainable compliance processes.
We support manufacturers, distributors and importers in each phase of this transition with technical, regulatory and strategic solutions adapted to their operational reality
Download the Complete Guide to the new Regulation of Packaging and Packaging Waste (PPWR)
What you will find in our guide on Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations PPWR
📌 A Turning Point in Packaging Management Understand why PPWR is a game-changer: new single European regulation, real business challenges, and how to turn compliance into competitive advantage.
📅 PPWR at a glance Critical deadlines from 2026 to 2035, identify your role (manufacturer, importer, distributor, etc.) and find out about the new technical requirements: recyclability, minimum recycled content and minimisation.
🗺️ Your 10-step roadmap Practical roadmap from diagnosis to sustainable compliance, with specific deliverables at each stage and applicable real cases.
🛠️ SOCOTEC Services 9 comprehensive services: personalized diagnosis, technical analysis of packaging, technical documentation, training, subsidies and subsidies, and much more.
🚀 From regulatory compliance to competitive advantage Anticipate , reduce risks and strengthen your position in the market. The guide includes a 5-step synthetic roadmap to get your business ready.
PPWR - Regulation of Packaging and Packaging Waste
¿Cómo influye el PPWR con las normativas ya existentes?
How does PPWR influence existing regulations?
Regulation (EU) 2025/40 (PPWR) does not operate in a vacuum, but is integrated into the existing national legislative framework, extending and harmonising the obligations provided for in Royal Decree 1055/2022, especially with regard to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), as well as those relating to the prevention, reuse and management of packaging and its waste.
- It complements the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regimes, establishing common rules for aspects such as the registration of producers, the communication of information, the modulation of contributions and the operation of SCRAPs and the DRS (Deposit, Return and Return System).
- It expands the obligations of producers, incorporating requirements for eco-design, recyclability, reuse, recycled content and packaging reduction.
- It increases information and traceability obligations, requiring technical documentation, declaration of conformity, harmonised labelling and information on the composition, recyclability and recycled content of packaging.
- It reinforces the modulation of the economic contributions of the RAP, linking them with the environmental characteristics of packaging to promote eco-design and the circular economy.
How does PPWR influence existing regulations?
Regulation (EU) 2025/40 (PPWR) does not operate in a vacuum, but is integrated into the existing national legislative framework, extending and harmonising the obligations provided for in Royal Decree 1055/2022, especially with regard to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), as well as those relating to the prevention, reuse and management of packaging and its waste.
- It complements the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regimes, establishing common rules for aspects such as the registration of producers, the communication of information, the modulation of contributions and the operation of SCRAPs and the DRS (Deposit, Return and Return System).
- It expands the obligations of producers, incorporating requirements for eco-design, recyclability, reuse, recycled content and packaging reduction.
- It increases information and traceability obligations, requiring technical documentation, declaration of conformity, harmonised labelling and information on the composition, recyclability and recycled content of packaging.
- It reinforces the modulation of the economic contributions of the RAP, linking them with the environmental characteristics of packaging to promote eco-design and the circular economy.
How can we help you from SOCOTEC?
Adapting to the PPWR requires much more than knowing the regulations. It consists of reviewing the packaging used, collecting information from suppliers, assessing compliance with the new requirements and planning the necessary actions to avoid risks and maintain competitiveness.
At SOCOTEC we can accompany you throughout the process through:
- Compliance diagnosis, identify which PPWR obligations apply to your company and within what deadlines.
- Preparation of a roadmap, prioritising the actions necessary to meet the milestones of the Regulation.
- Advice on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), including the Register of Product Producers (RPP), annual packaging declaration obligations and the relationship with Extended Collective Producer Responsibility (SCRAP) Systems.
- Support in the collection and verification of the technical information required from packaging suppliers and manufacturers.
- Support in the preparation of technical documentation and the EU Declaration of Conformity for packaging.
- Identification of ecodesign opportunities, reducing costs, improving the recyclability of packaging and anticipating future regulatory requirements.
- Look for grants and grants to finance investments related to packaging adaptation, the circular economy or process improvement.
- Training and awareness for purchasing, quality, production and sustainability teams, facilitating the integration of PPWR into the company's strategy.
Our goal is to ensure that compliance with the PPWR is not just a regulatory obligation, but an opportunity to improve the sustainability of packaging, reduce regulatory risks and strengthen the competitiveness of the company.
We turn a regulatory requirement into a competitive advantage, helping companies anticipate PPWR demands with practical and actionable solutions aligned with their sustainability strategy."
Contact our circular economy experts and find out how we can help you
Don't wait until 2026 to get started. The preparation time is now, and each month in advance reduces risks, optimizes investments, and turns compliance into a competitive advantage. At SOCOTEC, we transform regulatory complexity into practical and cost-effective solutions.
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