The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation

Packaging must be labeled with a harmonized mark for material composition to facilitate sorting for consumers

• Based on pictograms and easy to understand
• Excluded are transport packaging (unless it is e-commerce packaging) or packaging covered by deposit and return systems (must be provided with a clear label, which can be national and possibly color-coded)

Reusable packaging must be labeled to inform users that the packaging is reusable

• Additional information about reusability, reuse systems, etc., must be available via a QR code
• Reusable sales packaging must also be clearly identified and separated from one-way packaging at the point of sale

From 2030, only packaging that is recyclable may be placed on the market.

Recyclable packaging must:

• Be designed for material recycling, so that the resulting secondary raw materials can replace primary raw materials
• Be able to be collected and sorted separately without affecting the recycling of other waste streams
• Be able to be recycled on a large scale using current methods

Classification of the packaging's recyclability is done according to performance class A, B, or C.

From 2030, commercial entities that use reusable packaging must be connected to a reuse system with incentives and documentation.

Stores over 400m² must strive to allocate 10% of the area to refill stations from 2030.

Reuse targets: A series of reuse targets aimed at particularly transport packaging, e-commerce, and beverages will be introduced from 2030 and increased in 2040.

Content must be utilized from plastic waste from the consumption phase, per packaging type and format as addressed in Annex II, Table 1, calculated as an average per factory and year.

Min. content as of January 1, 2030* / (January 1, 2040):

• 30% / (50%) for contact-sensitive packaging of PET (except single-use plastic bottles for beverages)
• 10% / (25%) for contact-sensitive packaging of other plastic types than PET (except single-use plastic bottles)
• 30% / (65%) for single-use plastic bottles for beverages
• 35% / (65%) for other plastic packaging

• From 2030, all packaging must be designed with the least possible material and volume – without compromising on function or protection
• Max. 50% empty space allowed in transport, multipack, and e-commerce packaging
• Businesses that fill sales packaging must ensure that empty space is reduced to the minimum necessary to ensure the functionality of the packaging, including product protection

Overpackaging is limited by:

• Unnecessary elements such as false bottoms, double walls, and extra layers are prohibited – with few exceptions (e.g., protected design before 2025)
• Packaging must not appear larger than necessary to promote the product's perceived value
• Space filled with filler materials such as bubble wrap, foam, etc., counts as empty space

• From February 12, 2027, takeaway businesses must offer the possibility of refilling in the customer's own container (applies to both drinks and food)
• From February 12, 2028, businesses must also offer reusable packaging as an alternative to single-use packaging – as part of a reuse system
• Consumers must be offered the same price and conditions as when purchasing with single-use packaging
• Clear information at the point of sale must be provided about the possibility for refilling and reusable packaging
• Micro-enterprises are exempt from the requirement for reuse offers
• By 2030, final distributors should strive for a minimum of 10% of takeaway products to be offered in reusable packaging

From January 1, 2030, selected single-use formats (cf. Annex V) may no longer be marketed, for example:

• One-way packaging in the accommodation sector intended for individual reservations
• Packaging for fruits and vegetables, mini-packages for hotels, etc.
• Single-use plastic packaging for flavorings, canned goods, sauces, coffee cream, sugar, and spices in the HORECA sector
• Grouped packaging of single-use plastic, e.g.: cling film, shrink wrap
• Single-use plastic packaging, e.g.: trays, disposable plates and cups, bags, boxes

Micro-enterprises may obtain exemptions for certain formats in cases of technical impossibility.

Certain types of packaging (e.g., labels on fruits and vegetables) must be compostable under industrial conditions from February 12, 2028:

• Member States may require home compostability where relevant
• Other biodegradable materials must instead be designed for material recycling – not composting
• The Commission is developing harmonised EU standards for compostability and documentation

Bio-based plastics will be reassessed by the Commission by 2028 – with the possibility of new requirements and targets for sustainability and application:

• Bio-based materials can in certain cases replace recycled plastic – for example, for food contact, where recycling technologies are insufficient