December 16, 2024 15:25

After two years, the approval process for the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) concluded this morning with the European Council's vote.
In late November, the regulation had already passed through the European Parliament in its final version, including the last textual adjustments ("corrigendum").

The only remaining step, now a formality, is the publication of the regulation in the EU’s Official Journal, scheduled for early January. The new regulation will then come into force 20 days after publication, requiring no further adoption by member states. Its application, however, will begin after an 18-month transition period.

The regulation sets targets for minimum recycled content by 2030 and 2040, reaching up to 65% for plastic bottles. It also aims to reduce the weight and volume of packaging, eliminating unnecessary materials. Among its provisions is the reduction of substances of concern, including minimising substances of concern, including restricting placing on the market food contact packaging containing per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) if they exceed certain thresholds.

The regulation introduces several restrictions on single-use plastic packaging, such as pre-packaged fruit and vegetables weighing less than 1.5 kilograms, packaging used in hotels, bars, and restaurants (including single-portion containers and small toiletry bottles), and ultra-lightweight plastic bags. Additionally, new requirements for labeling, marking, and information are designed to facilitate recycling and waste-sorting efforts.

The regulation sets new binding re-use targets for 2030 and indicative targets for 2040. The targets vary depending on the type of packaging used by operators (for instance, binding targets of 40% for transport and sales packaging and 10% for grouped packaging).

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