Preparation for August 2026

The PPWR will start to be fully implemented on August 12, 2026. From that date, every package placed on the EU market will be required to have an EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC) and the corresponding Technical Documentation (TD). EUROPEN’s new toolkit aims to facilitate the preparation of these critical documents by helping companies identify which obligations apply to them and what data they need to collect from their supply chains.

_
Key toolkit functionalities

The toolkit offers:

• A classifiable overview of obligations for different economic operators.
• Clarification of roles and responsibilities throughout the packaging value chain.
• A repository of best practices and useful resources, including an explanatory video.
• A clear timeline to anticipate future substance, labeling and recyclability obligations.

_
Uncertainty in the industry

Despite the launch of these resources, the sector is operating in a climate of uncertainty. Companies still lack the necessary clarity from the European Commission to implement the Regulation with full confidence.

EUROPEN recommends companies not to treat the Declaration of Conformity as a last-minute administrative exercise, but to start mapping their packaging portfolios and strengthening collaboration with their suppliers immediately.

_
Upcoming regulatory milestones

The PPWR deployment includes several key dates that companies should monitor:

• August 12, 2026: Start of restrictions for substances such as heavy metals and PFASs in food contact packaging.
• 2028: Introduction of requirements for compostable packaging and harmonized labeling for consumer sorting.
• 2030: Entry into force of packaging minimization targets, design requirements for recycling and mandatory recycled content targets.
• 2035: Obligation for all packaging to be recyclable “at scale”.