PPWR 2026: how to structure your packaging data today
Since 12 August 2026, the PPWR applies across the European Union: packaging compliance is no longer just a risk, it is becoming a condition for market entry.
The PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation) is the European regulation on packaging and packaging waste (Regulation (EU) 2025/40). Its objective is clear: reduce waste, improve recyclability, and more strictly regulate packaging design.
Unlike a directive, this regulation applies directly in all EU countries, without national transposition. It entered into force on 11 February 2025 and has applied since 12 August 2026; many requirements follow from 2030.
Today, packaging data is often scattered across Excel files, supplier documents, and internal tools. Teams spend time consolidating information, with a high risk of errors. Packaging compliance is no longer a final check at the end of a project. It must be integrated from the design phase, based on reliable and traceable data.
Failing to anticipate the PPWR can lead to concrete consequences:
- products blocked from entering the market
- non-compliance identified during inspections
- urgent packaging changes or product recalls
- negative impact on brand image
PPWR: how to reduce unnecessary packaging volume
The PPWR requires companies to limit unnecessary packaging volume. Businesses must be able to demonstrate that their products meet defined efficiency criteria.
In beCPG, all packaging data is structured and directly linked to the product: packaging type (primary, secondary, tertiary), quantities, weights, materials, and costs.
This structure enables automatic calculation of key indicators such as total packaging weight or material breakdown. Teams can quickly identify oversized components, adjust quantities, and test different configurations.
PPWR: managing hazardous substances and ensuring compliance
The PPWR is part of an increasingly strict regulatory environment regarding hazardous substances, in connection with frameworks such as REACH and the AGEC law. Companies must be able to accurately identify the presence of at-risk substances (CMR, endocrine disruptors, SVHC, etc.) and demonstrate compliance based on regulatory thresholds.
In beCPG, this management is built directly into the data model. Substances can be recorded at both raw material and packaging levels, including their hazard classification, quantity, and, where relevant, migration rates into the product. This information is automatically consolidated at the finished product level.
The system also automates regulatory checks. For example, it verifies whether certain substances exceed defined thresholds (such as 0.1% for SVHC) and adjusts related claims accordingly. Teams can quickly identify non-compliance issues and understand their origin (raw material or packaging).
See our blog: Management of dangerous substances in beCPG.
PPWR: integrating recyclability from the design phase
The PPWR strengthens recyclability requirements. It is no longer enough to claim that packaging is recyclable, this must be demonstrated with reliable data. From 1 January 2030 (or 24 months after the design-for-recycling delegated acts, if later), packaging must reach recyclability grade A, B or C to be placed on the market; from 2038, only grades A and B.
In beCPG, each packaging component is described in detail: material type, percentage breakdown, recycled content, and recyclability characteristics. This information is captured at component level and automatically calculated at the finished product level.
This structure makes it possible to reconstruct the actual composition of packaging, including multi-material structures. Teams can quickly identify elements that hinder recyclability and compare alternative options early in the design phase. Since version 26.1, beCPG also calculates the PPWR recyclability grade of each product (A, B, C or not recyclable), weighted by material and packaging level, with the detail of the calculation; a grade entered manually, from an external assessment for example, is kept.
PPWR: centralizing data to generate supporting documentation
The regulation also requires companies to provide proof: packaging composition, material origin, technical characteristics, etc.
In beCPG, packaging, material, and supplier data are centralized in a single repository. Technical specifications, certifications, and environmental data are directly linked to products. This structure makes it easy to retrieve the necessary information and generate the documents expected by authorities, particularly through technical data sheets generated from system data.
It also provides a solid foundation to anticipate upcoming requirements such as the Digital Product Passport (DPP), which will rely on reliable, traceable, and accessible data.
Anticipating 2030 from today
The PPWR does not stop at 2026. By 1 January 2030 (or 3 years after the related implementing act, if later), the plastic parts of packaging must contain a minimum share of post-consumer recycled content: for example 30% for contact-sensitive PET packaging and 35% for most other plastic packaging, rising to 50% and 65% by 2040.
Products developed today must already take these constraints into account. This means being able to test different options, measure their impact, and secure decisions early in the process.
By structuring their data within a PLM, companies gain visibility and agility. See how beCPG handles regulatory compliance.
Are you ready for the PPWR?
✔ Your packaging data is centralized
✔ You have a clear understanding of your packaging composition
✔ You can demonstrate recyclability
✔ You control the substances used
✔ You can quickly generate supporting documentation
The beCPG PLM is a packaging management solution designed to meet the challenges of PPWR compliance and European packaging regulations. Request a demo to assess your level of readiness for the PPWR : contact us!
