7 keys to comply with PPWR 2026 and stay in the EU
From August 2026 companies must register, report and meet recyclability requirements. These are the 7 keys to comply with PPWR and stay in the EU.
These are the 7 keys to comply with PPWR 2026 and stay in the EU packaging market
What PPWR 2026 is and why it's no longer optional
What PPWR 2026 requires: registration, data, and deadlines
Why data and traceability matter for packaging
How to prepare now: first steps
Dcycle: the ESG solution to centralise packaging data and compliance
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
These are the 7 keys to comply with PPWR 2026 and stay in the EU packaging market:
PPWR 2026 (the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation) is not just another environmental rule.
From August 2026, companies that place packaging on the EU market must register, report data, and meet recyclability and recycled content requirements. Those that do not have their packaging data in order and their registration up to date risk being locked out of the market or facing avoidable costs and penalties.
For UK companies that export to the EU, measuring, managing, and registering packaging information is already a matter of compliance and competitiveness. In the following sections we develop the 7 keys above and how to prepare in time so you don't get left behind.
Complying with PPWR 2026 requires registration, data, and traceability. We are not talking about a recommendation, but a binding regulation that harmonises obligations across the European Union.
Companies that centralise and automate their packaging data will be able to register and report with ease. Those that rely on spreadsheets or manual processes will face more workload, more errors, and a higher risk of being locked out when obligations are fully in force.
PPWR (Regulation (EU) 2025/40) replaces the old Packaging Directive and harmonises packaging rules across the European Union.
The aim is clear: reduce the impact of packaging, promote recyclability and recycled content, and ensure that all packaging-related information is traceable and reportable.
Manufacturers, importers, and distributors that place packaging on the EU market for the first time in a Member State are subject to PPWR. That includes everyone from packaging producers to companies that import packaged products or distribute them to the end consumer. It is not a rule only for large corporations: SMEs and mid-sized companies that place packaging on the market must also comply.
From August 2026, the regulation's main obligations apply.
Each Member State will have a producer register with harmonised formats. The implementing acts that define those formats and EPR reporting requirements are expected in February 2026. Anyone who fails to register on time or lacks reliable data may face penalties and exclusion from supply chains or markets.
Manufacturers must register in national registers, submit annual data reports, and ensure recyclability and recycled content in plastics. Importers must meet the same requirements when they place packaging on the market for the first time. Distributors must verify that the packaging they sell complies with the regulation and that the manufacturer or importer is registered.
Without reliable, traceable data on packaging, there is no credible registration or accurate reporting.
PPWR requires information on packaging life cycle, materials, recyclability, and recycled content. That information is often scattered across procurement, production, logistics, and the supply chain. If we do not centralise and structure it, registration and reporting are delayed and the risk of error or non-compliance rises.
The solution is to define clear ownership, align criteria, and wherever possible automate collection so you have one up-to-date view. A single, well-managed data base reduces duplication and turns compliance into operational efficiency.
Packaging data should not sit in silos separate from the rest of environmental and compliance information.
Integrating it into broader ESG management makes it possible to meet PPWR, EINF, or other frameworks without duplicating effort. Companies that treat packaging data as part of their data governance can reuse it not only for PPWR but for ESG data, double materiality CSRD, or general compliance. The same data can serve packaging registration, EPR reports, EINF, sustainable finance frameworks, CSRD, or ISO standards.
One of the main mistakes is not having centralised data on packaging.
When information sits in different departments, suppliers, or formats, registration and reporting become difficult. Another mistake is underestimating deadlines: national registers and reporting formats will be defined during 2026. Companies that start structuring their data now will be ahead; those that wait will have less time and more pressure.
A third challenge is maintaining consistency once registration and reporting have started. Measuring once is not enough: PPWR requires up-to-date information and periodic reports. To achieve that, processes and, in many cases, tools are needed to eliminate manual tasks and automate collection and reporting.
The first operational step is to map what packaging your company places on the market and who is responsible for that information.
That means identifying packaging types, materials, volumes, suppliers, and information flows between departments. From there, it helps to centralise data (materials, volumes, suppliers, recyclability) in one system or process and assign owners for registration and reporting to national authorities.
Reviewing supplier contracts and requiring the information needed for compliance is also key. Preparing the data means aligning measurement criteria and wherever possible automating collection so you have one up-to-date view.
Finally, plan ahead for registration in producer registers as soon as each Member State opens the process and formats are available.
Those with data ready won't depend on last-minute rushes and will reduce the risk of being locked out of the market for non-compliance. PPWR 2026 rewards those who prepare in advance. Preparing in advance is the only way to comply without friction.
In short, getting packaging information in order now and preparing for registration is not optional: it is a competitive advantage and a condition for continuing to operate in the EU without friction.
Understanding PPWR 2026 is the first step to avoiding being locked out of the European packaging market.
PPWR (Regulation (EU) 2025/40) replaces the old Packaging Directive and unifies the rules across the European Union. Non-compliance means regulatory risk, barriers to market access, and loss of competitiveness.
Without registration on time, a company cannot continue to place packaging on the market in a compliant way. Without reliable data on types, materials, volumes, and recyclability, there is no credible registration or accurate reporting.
PPWR 2026 turns packaging information into a strategic asset: those who have it in order will comply; those who don't risk being locked out.
PPWR 2026 brings concrete obligations within very defined deadlines.
From August 2026, the regulation's main obligations apply. Each Member State will have a producer register with harmonised formats. The implementing acts are expected in February 2026.
Manufacturers must keep technical documentation, labelling, and declarations of conformity. Importers must meet the same requirements when they place packaging on the market for the first time in a Member State. Distributors must verify that the packaging they sell complies with the regulation and that the manufacturer or importer is registered. Without that traceability, the risk of non-compliance rises sharply.
PPWR requires information on packaging life cycle, materials, recyclability, and recycled content. Preparing the data means mapping what packaging your company places on the market, aligning measurement criteria, and wherever possible automating collection.
Without reliable, traceable data on packaging, there is no credible registration or accurate reporting.
In many companies, packaging information is spread across procurement, production, logistics, and quality departments. Each may use different formats, different dates, or misaligned criteria. The result is duplication, inconsistency, and delays when it comes to reporting or registering with authorities.
A single, well-managed data base reduces duplication and turns compliance into operational efficiency. That way you avoid repeating work and have one single, verifiable, and always up-to-date base.
Preparing for PPWR 2026 is not without obstacles. Knowing them helps anticipate solutions and avoid falling behind.
When information sits in different departments, suppliers, or formats, registration and reporting become difficult. The solution is to define clear ownership, align criteria, and wherever possible automate collection.
August 2026 may seem far off, but organising data, assigning owners, and testing processes takes time. Those who leave everything to the last moment will not be able to comply with confidence and will be exposed to penalties or market exclusion.
To maintain consistency, processes and, in many cases, tools are needed to eliminate manual tasks and automate collection and reporting. In our case, we address this with a solution that centralises ESG information (including packaging data) and allows progress to be assessed on an ongoing basis.
PPWR 2026 compliance cannot be achieved overnight. It is advisable to start now so that by August 2026 data and registration are ready.
Identify packaging types, materials, volumes, suppliers, and information flows between departments. Without that map, there is no basis for centralising or registering correctly.
Centralise data in one system or process and assign owners for registration and reporting to national authorities. Reviewing supplier contracts and requiring the information needed for compliance is also key.
Plan ahead for registration as soon as each Member State opens the process and formats are available. Those with data ready won't depend on last-minute rushes and will reduce the risk of being locked out of the market for non-compliance.
In a context where PPWR 2026 and other regulations require traceable, reportable packaging data, companies need more than mere compliance: they need control over their information and the ability to reuse it for different frameworks.
That is where Dcycle comes in. We are not auditors or consultants; we are a solution for companies that want to collect, structure, and distribute their ESG data (including packaging, materials, and supply chain) in an automated and traceable way.
We are not auditors or consultants. We are a platform that helps companies measure, manage, and communicate their non-financial data (environmental, social, governance) with agility. We do not replace the obligation to register with authorities; we help you have the data ready for that registration and for any other reporting.
We collect data from multiple sources (ERP, spreadsheets, suppliers, internal systems), validate and structure it, and make it available for registrations, reports, and audits. Everything in the cloud, no complex installations, with full traceability. Our approach is simple: centralise all relevant information (packaging, Carbon Footprint, energy, suppliers, etc.) and distribute it according to the use case: packaging registration, EPR reports, EINF, SBTi, CSRD, or ISO standards.
In short, PPWR 2026 is not just a packaging obligation: it is one more reason to get your ESG data in order and turn it into a lever for compliance and competitiveness.
PPWR (Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste) is the European regulation that harmonises packaging rules in the EU.
From August 2026, obligations apply for producer registration, data reporting, recyclability, and recycled content in plastics. It affects manufacturers, importers, and distributors that place packaging on the EU market.
Manufacturers, importers, and distributors that place packaging on the EU market for the first time in a Member State must register in national producer registers. Each country will have its producer register with harmonised formats.
Those who do not register or report correctly may face penalties and be locked out of the market.
You need information on the packaging you place on the market: types, materials, volumes, recyclability, recycled content where applicable, and technical documentation.
This data is often scattered across procurement, production, and the supply chain; centralising and automating it makes registration and reporting easier and reduces the risk of error.
Start by mapping what packaging your company places on the market and centralising the information (materials, suppliers, volumes). Assign owners for registration and reporting and plan ahead for registration in producer registers as soon as each Member State makes them available.
Having structured, traceable data is the foundation for not falling behind.
At Dcycle, we are not auditors or consultants; we are a solution for companies that need to centralise and manage their ESG data (including packaging).
We collect information from different sources, structure it, and make it useful for registrations, EPR reports, and other frameworks (EINF, CSRD, etc.).
That way you can prepare for PPWR 2026 compliance with a single, traceable data base that is ready to register when the time comes.
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The most recognized methodologies are:
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Investing in carbon reduction is not just an environmental action, it’s a smart business strategy.
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