January 24, 2025 14:54

The Regulation (EU) 2025/40 of the European Parliament and the Council, dated Dec. 19, 2024, on packaging and packaging waste  (PPWR) — amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 and Directive (EU) 2019/904, and repealing Directive 94/62/EC - was published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU, Series L, Jan. 22, 2025).

The regulation will fully take effect in 20 days without requiring adoption by member states, as directives do. Implementation is set to begin after an 18-month transitional period, in August 2026.

The regulation establishes targets for minimum recycled content by 2030 and 2040, which could reach up to 65% for plastic bottles. It also aims to reduce packaging weight and volume and eliminate unnecessary packaging.
Provisions include restrictions on substances of concern, such as limits on food packaging containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) above certain thresholds.

The regulation also introduces measures targeting single-use plastic packaging, including pre-packaged fruits and vegetables weighing less than 1.5 kilograms, single-portion containers, small bottles used in hotels, bars, and restaurants, and ultralight plastic bags.

New requirements for labeling, marking, and information have been introduced to facilitate separate collection.

See also: PPWR in the OJEU

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