Why an early assessment makes sense
The new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation 2025/40 (PPWR) aims to reduce packaging waste and promote the circular economy. It will be introduced in stages and, from 12 August 2026, will bring new obligations for manufacturers, distributors and importers across Europe. As a result, requirements relating to packaging, supplier information and processes are changing.
For procurement, packaging management, logistics and compliance teams, it is therefore not enough simply to understand the regulatory requirements. What matters is identifying where technical or documentation-related reviews are needed, what information is missing and which packaging should be assessed.
PPWR: Duty or opportunity?
30 September, 9:30–10:00
From regulatory compulsion to competitive advantage in the automotive industry!
Marco Growe will present the key requirements of the new European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and discuss their implications for the automotive industry at the 15th Regional Automotive Supplier Conference in Budapest.
PPWR affects packaging, suppliers, documentation and internal responsibilities
Typical starting point
The PPWR turns packaging issues into organisational challenges. Companies need to understand what information is available, which suppliers need to be involved, which packaging may be critical from an economic or technical perspective, and which departments should be involved in preparing decisions. A structured approach to these issues helps companies set priorities, streamline coordination and avoid unnecessary or premature action.
Many companies know that their packaging needs to be reviewed in light of the PPWR. The challenge, however, lies in putting this into practice:
- Which packaging is relevant?
- What information is already available?
- What information still needs to be obtained from suppliers?
- Where is a more detailed assessment needed?
Knüppel packaging supports companies with packaging expertise, technical assessment and an unbiased view of potential solutions.
Together, we take a structured approach to defining the relevant assessment areas, organising the required documentation and planning the next steps.
PPWR stands for the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, the EU regulation on packaging and packaging waste. It aims to reduce packaging waste, improve recyclability, promote reuse, and harmonise requirements for evidence, materials and documentation.
Much of the required information may not be available within your own company. Suppliers and packaging partners need to provide reliable information on materials, specifications, recyclability, recycled content and other relevant documentation. Without this data, it is difficult to prioritise packaging or carry out a robust assessment.
Unbiased means that no particular material is given preference. What matters is finding a packaging solution that is technically suitable, economically viable, available, reliable in the relevant processes and properly documented. This ensures that alternatives are assessed based on the specific application rather than on general assumptions.
The PPWR is relevant to companies that place packaging on the EU market, as well as companies that use, procure, fill, transport or supply packaging to customers. In practice, its requirements may affect a wide range of business functions, including manufacturing, procurement, logistics, e-commerce, packaging management, quality management and compliance.
Companies should ensure structured access to technical data sheets, specifications, material information, recyclability assessments, evidence of recycled content, test reports, supplier declarations and other relevant documentation. Often, the first need for action lies not with the packaging itself, but with the documentation.
No. Changing the packaging is not automatically the first step required. Often, the available data, protective function, material composition, technical feasibility, cost implications and documentation need to be assessed first. An unbiased assessment helps avoid premature changes in packaging materials.
Knüppel packaging provides individual advice on packaging portfolios, analyses existing packaging, defines relevant PPWR assessment areas, provides or sources technical information, supports technical documentation, and helps prepare for more in-depth technical, regulatory or legal reviews. Knüppel packaging does not provide legal advice or formal conformity assessments.
