Detailed Interpretation of the EU PPWR Regulation | Aimisin

2026-05-26

Regulation Number: EU 2025/40

Effective Date: February 11, 2025

Full Implementation Date: August 12, 2026 (Core requirements become applicable)

Scope of Application: All packaging and packaging waste placed on the EU market, regardless of material or origin

Legal Nature: Regulation (directly applicable in all Member States without the need for transposition into national law)

Applicable Entities: Manufacturers, importers, distributors, fillers, e-commerce sellers, and cross-border e-commerce enterprises

Mandatory Recycled Content Targets: By 2030, contact-sensitive PET packaging must contain 30% recycled plastic, while other plastic packaging—such as PP and HDPE—must reach 10%; by 2040, the target for non-contact-sensitive plastic packaging will be raised to 65%.

Recyclability Requirements: Starting in 2030, packaging with a recyclability rate of less than 70% will be prohibited from being placed on the market.

PFAS Ban and Labeling: The use of specific PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in food-contact packaging will be prohibited, and all packaging must bear standardized classification labels.

UK Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR): From 2026 onwards, producers will pay the full cost of disposal based on the total volume and recyclability of their packaging materials, with lower fees for easily recyclable materials.

Impact on the Disposable Hygiene Products Industry

Recycled Content Targets for Plastic Packaging (Effective January 1, 2030)

Applicable Product Categories	Minimum Recycled Content by 2030	Minimum Recycled Content by 2040
Contact-sensitive PET packaging (such as certain rigid containers)	30%	50%
Other Plastic Packaging (including outer packaging for sanitary products)	35%	65%

Packaging Reduction and Recyclable Design

Starting in 2030, the void ratio of e-commerce packaging must not exceed 50%, and "excessive packaging" will be prohibited.

Recyclability: From the effective date of the regulation in August 2026, all packaging must be technically recyclable.

EPR Registration and Labeling Obligations

EPR Obligations: All businesses placing packaged products on the EU market must complete Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) registration and pay recycling fees in every Member State where sales take place.

Standardized Labeling: In the future, all packaging must bear a standardized EU label indicating material composition to facilitate sorting and recycling by consumers.

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