What do you need to know about packaging law?

What applies under current packaging law?

In the EU Member States, national regulations define how manufacturers and retailers must handle packaging that ends up with private end consumers. The goal: to strengthen recycling and reduce waste.

Registration & Licensing

If you place packaging on the market for the first time (for example, shipping boxes, filling material or product packaging), you must register with the competent national authority and license the packaging through a recognised collection and recovery system.

Material and Data Reporting

In most countries, material and volume reports must be submitted to system operators or public authorities. In some Member States, public registers exist that allow compliance to be checked.

Proof of Compliance

Depending on the Member State, additional documentation may be required – for example, annual confirmations once certain volume thresholds are exceeded.

Sanctions

Breaches can lead to penalties under national law, up to and including sales bans. The exact form of enforcement (such as administrative fines, financial penalties or competition-law procedures) varies between Member States.

What will change under the new EU Packaging Regulation?

The regulation will apply from August 2026 and will replace many existing national rules. National laws will remain in force as a supplement, provided they are compatible with EU legislation.

Uniform rules across Europe

Until now, each EU Member State had its own packaging regulations. This led to differing standards and additional bureaucracy – particularly for online retailers trading internationally. The new regulation introduces uniform requirements across all EU countries, ensuring that packaging is designed, labelled and disposed of according to the same sustainability criteria everywhere.

Recyclable packaging becomes mandatory

All packaging placed on the EU market must in future be recyclable. Recyclability will be classified in different grades: the better the design supports recycling, the higher the rating. From 2030, only packaging meeting certain minimum recyclability standards may be used.

Minimum shares of recycled content

For plastic packaging, binding minimum recycled content targets will apply. This means that a certain percentage of the material must consist of recycled plastics. These targets will gradually increase – starting in 2030 and rising further by 2040 – with the aim of reducing the use of virgin materials.

Recycled materials (recyclates) are recovered substances made from waste, such as used plastic, paper or glass packaging. They replace part of the virgin raw materials in the production of new packaging.

Less air, less waste

Particularly relevant for e-commerce: packaging will need to be space-efficient in future. The regulation limits the empty space ratio and requires that shipping packages are as small as possible. Single-use packaging should also be reduced and replaced with reusable systems wherever feasible.

Labelling obligations and material restrictions

Packaging must in future display information on the materials used and the correct method of disposal. Standardised EU-wide symbols will make waste separation easier for consumers. In addition, certain substances – such as PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated chemicals) – will gradually be banned from use in packaging materials.

How can you prepare for the new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)?

The new EU requirements may sound complex, but with early planning they can be implemented effectively. Acting now will save you time, costs and legal risks later on.

1. Review existing registration and licensing

Check whether your business is registered with the competent national authority and whether your packaging is licensed through a recognised collection and recovery system. These obligations remain the foundation for implementing the new EU Packaging Regulation.

2. Analyse packaging materials

Which materials are currently used? Which of them are recyclable or already contain recycled content? A detailed assessment helps you to switch to EU-compliant packaging in good time.

3. Involve suppliers and partners

Ask your packaging suppliers for documentation on recyclability and the percentage of recycled content. Fulfilment service providers and online marketplaces will also have to meet EU requirements, so close coordination is essential.

4. Prepare for new labelling rules

The EU regulation introduces new symbols and information requirements. Retailers should update their packaging designs, labels and templates to include additional details such as material composition and disposal instructions.

5. Adjust processes and documentation

Keep thorough records of all evidence relating to registration, licensing and packaging declarations. This ensures you can demonstrate compliance if your business is audited.

6. Test sustainable alternatives early

Recyclable and reusable packaging is not only a legal advantage but also strengthens your brand image. Businesses that adopt sustainable packaging solutions early will gain a competitive edge in the market.

What are the consequences of breaching packaging law?

Anyone who fails to comply with the requirements of the new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) or the corresponding national implementation measures risks both legal and financial consequences. This is not only about environmental obligations but also about maintaining access to the EU single market.

National penalties remain in place

Breaches of national packaging rules may still be punished under national law – for instance, in cases of missing registration, lack of licensing or incomplete data reporting. In serious cases, authorities may prohibit the sale of products until compliance is achieved.

Increased compliance checks across the EU

Market surveillance will be harmonised across the EU. Authorities and consumer organisations will be able to verify whether companies meet their obligations. Missing entries or incomplete documentation can lead to sanctions or restrictions on product distribution.

Read more: How do you react to a written warning?

EU-wide market surveillance

With the entry into force of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), market surveillance will be harmonised across Europe. Packaging that does not comply with EU requirements may no longer be placed on the market or made available. This particularly affects packaging that is not recyclable or lacks the correct labelling. Market monitoring will be coordinated across the EU by national authorities.

Liability within the supply chain

Fulfilment service providers, importers and online marketplaces can also be held liable for non-compliance. All economic operators in the supply chain share responsibility for ensuring that packaging meets EU standards. Online retailers should therefore make sure that their partners comply with the regulation’s obligations and keep the necessary documentation as proof.

When should those affected take action?

Packaging requirements will remain a key issue even under the new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). Those who review their packaging early, switch to recyclable materials and carefully document all evidence not only reduce the risk of sanctions but also strengthen customer trust. This ensures that your online shop remains compliant, sustainable and competitive in the long term.