Packaging and Packaging Waste (PPWR)

The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) aims to reduce the environmental and health impacts of packaging and packaging waste throughout their life cycle and to promote the circular economy. The Regulation aims to reduce unnecessary packaging, increase reuse and recycling, and harmonise packaging requirements in the EU’s internal market. 

The packaging regulation applies to all packaging placed on the EU market, regardless of the material, and to all packaging waste. The Regulation entered into force on 11 February 2025. Compliance with the legislative requirements began in general on 12 August 2026. Certain requirements of the Regulation will begin to apply at separately indicated dates. 

Packaging must meet the sustainability requirements before being placed on the market. The sustainability requirements apply to:  

  • the substances in the packaging, 
  • the recyclability of the packaging, 
  • the minimum share of recycled content in certain plastic packaging and the use of biobased materials in plastic packaging, 
  • the compostability of packaging, 
  • the minimisation of package weight and volume, and 
  • the obligations regarding reusability and reusable packaging. 

The Regulation also includes provisions on labelling that is applied to the packaging, on environmental claims about packaging, as well as requirements to reduce the empty space ratio and restrictions on the use of certain packaging formats.

Before placing a packaging on the market, the manufacturer must carry out a conformity assessment of the packaging, draw up technical documentation and an EU declaration of conformity, and affix the required information to the packaging. The Regulation also provides for obligations for other actors.

In Finland, Tukes enforces compliance with these requirements.