Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation: the Commission publishes a guidance to implement new rules

A guidance to "provide further clarity and support to businesses, Member States, and stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition to a more circular and competitive packaging value chain": this is how Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy qualifies the Communication of the Commission for the implementation of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) published on 30/03/2026.

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, which entered into force on 11/02/2025 and will apply from 12/08/2026, introduces mandatory recyclability targets by 2030, minimum recycled content in plastic packaging, and some reduction measures against the excessive use of packaging. Key targets include making all packaging recyclable by 2030, reducing packaging waste (5% by 2030, 15% by 2040), setting reuse and refill targets, and mandatory recycled content targets for plastics.

This guidance aims to "facilitate the uniform application of the new packaging rules across the EU and simplify compliance for economic actors and Member States." It…