The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, Regulation (EU) 2025/40 (PPWR), applies from 12 August 2026. As a regulation it applies directly in every Member State. Packaging placed on the EU market, including packaging imported from outside the EU, must meet its requirements and be backed by an EU Declaration of Conformity and technical documentation. Further requirements follow in stages: recycled content and design for recycling from 2030, and harmonised sorting labels from August 2028 at the earliest.
Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste replaces the previous Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive. It entered into force on 11 February 2025 and applies from 12 August 2026. It covers all packaging and packaging waste, whatever the material and whoever uses it, so plastic mailing bags, grip seal bags, carrier bags and pallet films are all in scope.
Because many details are set out in delegated and implementing acts that the European Commission is still adopting, several obligations apply from a fixed date or a set period after the related act enters into force, whichever is later.
For a packaging distributor, this matters most for private label: if bags are sold under your brand, you may carry the manufacturer's obligations. Either way, ask your supplier for the Declaration of Conformity and the supporting information for each product you buy.
| 12 August 2026 | PPWR applies. All packaging placed on the market must be recyclable (Article 6(1)). PFAS limits apply to food-contact packaging. |
| 12 August 2028 at the earliest | Harmonised material composition labels, or 24 months after the implementing acts on labels enter into force, whichever is later. |
| 2030 | Minimum recycled content in plastic packaging. Design-for-recycling criteria and recyclability performance grades. |
| 1 January 2030 at the earliest | Maximum 50% empty space ratio in grouped, transport and e-commerce packaging. |
| 2035 | Packaging must also be recyclable at scale. |
| 2040 | Higher recycled content targets for plastic packaging. |
Any plastic part in packaging must contain a minimum share of recycled content recovered from post-consumer plastic waste. The 2030 minimums are:
The targets rise again from 2040, up to 65% for single-use plastic beverage bottles. Plastic parts representing less than 5% of the total weight of the packaging unit are exempt.
All packaging placed on the market must be recyclable from 12 August 2026. From 1 January 2030, or 24 months after the delegated acts on design-for-recycling criteria enter into force, whichever is later, packaging must also meet those criteria and is assessed by recyclability performance grade, with the lowest grade phased out. From 2035, packaging must be recyclable at scale. The detailed criteria for each packaging category are still being set by the Commission.
Packaging will carry a harmonised label with information on its material composition to help consumers sort it. This applies from 12 August 2028, or 24 months after the implementing acts setting out the label enter into force, whichever is later.
The empty space ratio in grouped, transport and e-commerce packaging must not exceed 50%, from 1 January 2030 or three years after the related implementing act enters into force, whichever is later. For online retailers, a right-sized mailing bag is one of the simplest ways to keep empty space low. Our mailing bag weight calculator helps you compare sizes.
From 12 August 2026, food-contact packaging may not be placed on the market if it contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) above set limits: 25 ppb for any targeted PFAS, 250 ppb for the sum of targeted PFAS, and 50 ppm for all PFAS including polymeric PFAS. This is relevant if you buy vacuum pouches, doypacks or other food packaging.
1. Can you provide an EU Declaration of Conformity for this product under Regulation (EU) 2025/40?
2. What information and documentation do you supply to support it?
3. How much recycled content does the product contain, and how much of it is post-consumer?
4. Is the product mono-material, and how will it meet the design-for-recycling criteria?
5. For food packaging: can you confirm compliance with the PFAS limits?
Our 70% recycled coex mailing bags are made with post-consumer recycled (PCR) content and already have a PPWR Declaration of Conformity, well above the 35% minimum that applies to this type of packaging from 2030.
For the rest of your range, we are happy to discuss the regulation's requirements product by product. Write to us at info@kargopek.eu or see our mailing bag sizes and specifications.
Regulation (EU) 2025/40 entered into force on 11 February 2025 and applies from 12 August 2026. Several requirements, such as recycled content, design for recycling, harmonised labels and the empty space ratio, apply from later dates.
Yes. The rules apply to packaging placed on the EU market, wherever it is made. An importer is any person established in the Union that places packaging from a third country on the market.
Yes. Under Article 21, importers and distributors are considered manufacturers when they place packaging on the market under their own name or trademark, or modify packaging already on the market in a way that could affect compliance.
From 2030, plastic packaging that is not contact-sensitive, such as most mailing bags, must contain at least 35% recycled content recovered from post-consumer plastic waste. The targets increase further from 2040.
50% for grouped, transport and e-commerce packaging, applying from 1 January 2030 or three years after the related implementing act enters into force, whichever is later.
This guide is general guidance based on the Regulation and official EU publications at the time of writing. It is not legal advice. Several dates depend on delegated and implementing acts still to be adopted. Check your own obligations with the competent national authority or a qualified adviser.
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