What is the PPWR?
The PPWR is European legislation applicable to everyone in the EU (including the Netherlands) who manufactures packaging (or packaging components), places it on the market for the first time, or otherwise trades in or uses it. The legislation aims to make the packaging value chain more sustainable.
The European legislation entered into force on 12 February 2025. The obligations under the PPWR will take effect on 12 August 2026. Not all rules have been fully finalized yet; between now and 2029, at least thirty additional documents containing further detailed legal requirements—in the form of implementing acts or delegated acts—will be issued.
The objectives of the PPWR are:
1. Addressing the entire lifecycle of packaging, from design to recycling
2. Establishing uniform rules for all European countries to facilitate intra-EU trade
3. Achieving a climate-neutral packaging value chain by 2050
The latest version of the PPWR can be found in this European Parliament document.
What is new, and what does the PPWR mean for me?
The PPWR introduces various new concepts and obligations. Virtually every company that manufactures packaging—or components thereof—makes packaging available, sells it, or disposes of it will be subject to one or more of these obligations.
The key changes are:
- A wider range of packaging types is distinguished. The familiar classification of primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging is being dropped. The packaging categories under the PPWR are: Packaging, Transport packaging, E-commerce packaging, Service packaging, Take-away packaging, Primary production packaging, Sales packaging, and Grouped packaging. We explain these packaging types in this overview.
- The scope for the offering of packaging is the entire European Union.
- A manufacturer (the party producing the packaging) must draw up a declaration of conformity for each individual piece of packaging. The set of sustainability criteria for packaging has been expanded, with some aspects now made measurable. For instance, by 2030, a packaging item's recyclability will be expressed as a score, and targets will apply regarding the minimum content of post-consumer recyclate in plastic packaging components.
- Specific types of packaging are required to be reusable.
- Uniform disposal logos must be used.
- In the future, reporting on packaging placed on the market will be the responsibility of the Producer—who, depending on the packaging type and how the packaging or packaged product is traded, may be a Manufacturer, Importer, or Distributor. This can shift the obligation for those required to file a declaration.
- Reporting requirements are becoming increasingly detailed.
- The filing threshold is being eliminated. All companies that are producers must register and file a declaration. A simplified declaration applies to companies that place less than 10,000 kg of packaging on the Dutch market for the first time.
How can I prepare?
The PPWR measures have not yet been fully finalized. However, you can already start preparing:
1. Stay up to date: we will keep you continuously informed about developments on this page!
2. Use these documents to determine which role(s) you play in the supply chain. You may fulfill multiple roles. Are you a manufacturer as defined by the PPWR? If so, you are required to complete a conformity assessment and draw up a declaration of conformity for all your packaging by August 12, 2026. The assessment and declaration process can take quite some time, so it is important to start early.
3. Identify the types of packaging you handle and how they are classified under PPWR terminology.
4. Identify your obligations based on your role(s) and the types of packaging you manufacture, trade, sell, or use.
5. Take stock: map out the information you already have regarding your packaging and the information your supplier can share with you.
6. From 2030 onwards, packaging that is ‘poorly’ recyclable (less than 70% recyclable) will be banned. The details are not yet clear, but you can already use our ‘Recyclecheck’ tool. This gives you an idea of how recyclable your packaging is. You can also start thinking about how to make your packaging more sustainable. Verpact is happy to provide advice on this.
7. Is your organization due for new packaging machinery, are you launching a new product, or are you considering other innovations? If so, take the upcoming legislation into account. For instance, the PPWR mandates the minimization of packaging weight and volume.
How does Verpact help me?
Verpact is responsible for implementing the legislation (the collective component), covering the collection, sorting, and processing of packaging waste, as well as reporting on the collection, reuse, and recycling rates achieved. We consider it our duty to provide timely and clear communication regarding the adjusted statutory individual responsibilities of producers and importers. We therefore keep you informed of all developments and support you step-by-step in implementing the new rules. We are currently developing a tool that clearly outlines your specific role and the resulting obligations.
> Find Q&As on packaging administration here
> We answer questions about rates here
> Find answers regarding rate differentiation on this page