PPWR Compliant Packaging
The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR — Regulation (EU) 2025/40) sets out how packaging placed on the EU market must be designed, tested, labelled and documented. It entered into force on 11 February 2025 and applies from 12 August 2026, replacing the older Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (94/62/EC).
If you sell into the EU — or supply businesses that do — you need to show the packaging you use meets the relevant PPWR requirements and hold the documentation to prove it. At Datec Packaging, we provide an EU Declaration of Conformity for each of our products, so you can evidence PPWR compliance for your own procurement, audit and regulatory records. Download the declaration for any product listed below.
Our PPWR Compliant Packaging Range
Each product below has its own Declaration of Conformity confirming the specific requirements its packaging meets, along with the issue date and version. Select a product to view its details and download the PDF. If you need a declaration for a product not listed here, or an updated version, email us at sales@datecpackaging.com.
| Product | Description | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
This pallet stretch film contains 30% recycled content and is fully recyclable, supporting PPWR requirements for recycled content and recyclability. Each roll ships with an EU Declaration of Conformity for your records. | ||
This brown polypropylene packing tape is designed to support PPWR requirements, with each roll supplied with an EU Declaration of Conformity recording the recyclability and material specifics for your compliance records. | ||
This clear polypropylene packing tape is designed to support PPWR requirements, with each roll supplied with an EU Declaration of Conformity recording the recyclability and material specifics for your compliance records. | ||
These single wall cardboard boxes are made from recyclable, widely recycled corrugated board, in line with PPWR requirements. Each is supplied with an EU Declaration of Conformity. FSC® certified board is available on request. | ||
These double wall cardboard boxes are made from recyclable, widely recycled corrugated board, in line with PPWR requirements. Each is supplied with an EU Declaration of Conformity. FSC® certified board is available on request. |
What the PPWR requires
The PPWR applies to all packaging placed on the EU market, across B2B and B2C, regardless of the product inside. It introduces requirements progressively between 2026 and 2030 through delegated and implementing acts. The main obligations packaging buyers need to understand are:
Recyclability. From 2030, all packaging must be designed for recycling against defined criteria and meet minimum recyclability performance grades. Designing for recycling now avoids costly re-specification later.
Recycled content. Plastic packaging must contain minimum percentages of recycled content, with the thresholds rising over time and varying by packaging type.
Substance restrictions. The regulation restricts hazardous substances. The combined concentration of lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium must not exceed 100 mg/kg. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are restricted in food-contact packaging above set limits from 12 August 2026.
Packaging minimisation. Empty space and unnecessary packaging layers are restricted, with limits on void space in grouped and transport packaging.
Labelling. Packaging must carry harmonised labelling showing material composition and sorting instructions to help consumers dispose of it correctly. Reusable packaging carries additional labelling.
Declaration of Conformity. Every packaging type sold in the EU must be accompanied by an EU Declaration of Conformity, backed by a technical file (design specs, test results, recyclability assessment). Documentation must be retained for five years for single-use packaging and ten years for reusable packaging.
For a full plain-English breakdown of PPWR for UK sellers, read our EU PPWR guide
Who is responsible for PPWR compliance?
Liability flows through the value chain, and your specific duties depend on your role:
- Manufacturers are responsible for packaging design and conformity. They draft and sign the Declaration of Conformity and own the technical documentation file.
- Importers must verify that their suppliers' packaging is compliant and that valid documentation exists before placing products on the EU market. Legal accountability sits with the importer, not a non-EU factory.
- Distributors must check that packaging is correctly labelled and refuse to sell non-compliant items.
A point that catches many brand owners out: if your name is on the packaging, the obligation is yours. A supplier contract cannot transfer that legal position. This is why holding a Declaration of Conformity for the packaging you buy matters — it's the evidence you rely on to meet your own obligations.
Why PPWR compliance matters now
Market access is the primary enforcement mechanism. If you can't demonstrate compliance, your packaging cannot legally be placed on the EU market — which can mean blocked launches or withdrawal of existing stock, not just fines. Fines themselves are set locally by each member state under Articles 55–61. Sourcing packaging that already ships with a Declaration of Conformity removes a large part of this risk from your supply chain.
How to use these declarations
These declarations support your own compliance obligations under the PPWR. Keep the relevant PDF on file alongside your product records and always use the most recent version — declarations are reissued when packaging specifications or the applicable requirements change. For questions about the scope of a specific declaration, contact sales@datecpackaging.com.
Related: Sustainable Packaging · EPR Packaging · Eco-Friendly Packaging
PPWR compliance — frequently asked questions
What is the PPWR?
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2025/40) is EU legislation governing the recyclability, recycled content, substance limits and labelling of packaging placed on the EU market. It applies from 12 August 2026 and replaces the earlier Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (94/62/EC).
When does the PPWR come into force?
It entered into force on 11 February 2025 and applies from 12 August 2026. Further technical requirements, including recyclability grades and recycled-content thresholds, are phased in through to 2030.
What is an EU Declaration of Conformity?
It is a document confirming that a product's packaging has been assessed against the applicable PPWR requirements, including the assessment date and version. It must be supported by a technical file containing design specifications, test results and a recyclability assessment.
Does the PPWR apply to UK businesses?
Yes, if you place packaging on the EU market or supply customers who do. UK exporters must ensure their packaging meets PPWR requirements, as non-compliant goods can be rejected at EU borders.
Who is responsible for PPWR compliance?
Responsibility depends on your role. Manufacturers design the packaging and sign the Declaration of Conformity; importers must verify supplier compliance before placing products on the EU market; distributors must check labelling and refuse non-compliant items. If your name is on the packaging, the obligation is yours.
How do I get the declaration for a specific product?
Select the product from the table above and download the PDF from its page. If the product isn't listed, email sales@datecpackaging.com and we'll provide it.