Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)
FAQs on the new EU Packaging Regulation

Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)

The new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) aims to reduce the environmental impact of packaging. Among other things, it stipulates that by 2030, all packaging placed on the EU market must be recyclable. Companies must adapt the design and material use of their packaging to increase recycling and reuse.

The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (EU) 2025/40 was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 22 January 2025. It will come into force on 12 February 2025 and will be valid from 12 August 2026.

Many questions arising from the regulation cannot be conclusively answered at this time. To this end, so-called delegated legal and implementing acts will initially be required to define and establish further details of the affected articles of the regulation for all EU member states and stakeholders. This process may take several years. Jokey will closely monitor developments and engage in an ongoing dialogue with its network partners, customers and stakeholders.

As part of the EU Green Deal, the PPWR is an important milestone on the road to a circular economy. Jokey’s sustainability activities are also geared towards the transition to a circular economy for plastics and a clear CO₂ roadmap. For years, the Jokey Eco Concept 4.0 with its four pillars has been focusing on recyclable, reusable packaging made from secondary raw materials, particularly at the product and resource level. Jokey is therefore already well positioned with regard to the requirements of the PPWR.

Scope:

Packaging should be designed, manufactured and distributed in such a way that it can be reused as often as possible or recycled to a high standard and that its impact on the environment is minimized throughout its life cycle and the life cycle of the products for which it was designed.

Implementation:

• in line with the Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan
• largest regulatory intervention ever in the packaging market
• from a directive to a regulation with direct binding effect in the EU Member States
• 71 articles, 13 appendices, 344 pages
• the articles are later implemented and detailed in delegated acts, implementing acts, reports and evaluations, further CEN standards, guidelines and legislative proposals
• August 12, 2026: valid and binding for all member states

Article 1 of the PPWR describes the subject matter, scope and requirements of this regulation. It also sets out the objectives of the regulation, in particular with regard to environmental protection, the circular economy and climate neutrality. Article 2 clarifies that the regulation applies uniformly to all packaging and packaging waste in the EU, regardless of the material used.

The scope of the PPWR, as described in the first two articles, suggests that a number of detailed questions still need to be clarified. This is absolutely essential given that the EU regulation is to be implemented in all member states simultaneously and in a timely manner. The following table provides a structured overview of the PPWR and its contents. The regulation can be found online in the Official Journal of the EU in all official languages.

The PPWR will be binding on all member states from 12 August 2026. Jokey therefore recommends that its customers familiarise themselves at an early stage with the definitions for the purposes of the regulation in Article 3 in order to find out whether and at what point in time they are affected by implementation obligations. The following timelines illustrate the implementation process.

Further information can be found here:

• DENTONS: Indicative timeline for the application of the individual provisions of the PPWR (7 March 2025)

The new regulation applies to all packaging and packaging waste placed on the market in the European Union, regardless of the type of packaging or material used. This makes the regulation relevant for companies in all sectors. It defines comprehensive requirements for recyclability and sustainable packaging design. The new regulation focuses on the obligation to regulate the entire life cycle of packaging. In doing so, it aims to help strengthen the circular economy, reduce packaging waste and protect consumers from substances of concern in packaging. The PPWR focuses on three main topics:

Recyclability

Article 6 of the PPWR stipulates that packaging must be recyclable. It defines the requirements that must be met in a two-stage approach. Since 2017, the Jokey Eco Concept has been based on holistic recyclability and includes the field of action of a recyclable packaging design with the aim of achieving maximum technical and functional packaging performance in a circular economy. The Jokey Eco Concept is now in its fourth generation and comprises four pillars, which also reflect the two core requirements of recyclability and the use of recycled materials in the PPWR. This means that Jokey products are already well prepared for these requirements. With a group-wide design guideline, Jokey is already ensuring implementation at all 14 Jokey locations. The goal: All Jokey packaging should achieve the highest level of performance with at least 95 per cent recyclability in accordance with Article 6 of the PPWR.

Minimum recycled content

Article 7 of the PPWR stipulates that from 1 January 2030, all plastic packaging must contain a certain minimum amount of recycled materials obtained from consumer plastic waste In fact, a true circular economy only works if packaging finds its way back into new packaging as recycled packaging raw materials after use. The Jokey Eco Concept supports the circular economy and, in the Eco Resources pillar, deals with secondary raw materials that are an indispensable part of a functioning circular economy. With regard to Jokey packaging made of polypropylene (PP), the following minimum percentages apply

• 10 per cent for all contact-sensitive packaging (Art. 7 para. b)
• 35 per cent for all other packaging (Art. 7 para. d

Jokey has been involved in the reuse of recycled materials for the production of new packaging since the introduction of the Packaging Ordinance (VerpackV) in Germany in 1991. The Jokey Eco Concept and the “Grey is the new green” initiative launched in 2018 aim to draw attention to secondary raw materials in order to continuously increase their use. Jokey’s many years of experience in processing post-consumer recyclates already enables it to significantly exceed all the requirements for non-contact-sensitive packaging listed in Article 7 (d) of the PPWR.

For the area of contact-sensitive packaging (Art. 7 para. b), Jokey offers solutions with recyclates from chemical recycling. Together with Remondis, Jokey is working on being able to offer secondary raw materials from material recycling for contact-sensitive packaging soon.

Depending on the quality of the recyclate and the technical requirements for the packaging, almost all Jokey packaging can now be manufactured with a post-consumer recyclate content of over 90 per cent from household collections or from commercial closed loops in the non-food and food industry. Jokey is certified according to ISO 15343 and is allowed to use the RAL quality mark to transparently and reliably identify the proportion of post-consumer recyclates used.

Reusability

Article 29 of the PPWR requires economic operators, subject to certain exceptions, to manage certain packaging formats as reusable packaging within a reuse system, either in full or to a certain extent, from 1 January 2030. Specifically, the reusability rates apply to the following packaging formats, which fall under these two packaging categories, “of all sizes and materials” (Art. 29 (1)):

• Pallets
• Pallet covers and straps to stabilise and protect products transported on pallets Crates (except for those made of cardboard; see exceptions in Art. 29, Sec. 4 d)
• Plastic crates
• Trays
• Intermediate bulk containers
• Buckets
• Barrels
• Canisters

The implementation of the reusability requirements is complicated by the fact that none of the packaging formats mentioned in Art. 29 (1) are defined – neither in the text of the regulation nor in the underlying impact assessment. Some of the packaging formats mentioned can be assigned to the common designations on the market on the basis of industry standards: this applies to pallets, strapping, intermediate bulk containers, drums and jerricans. For the other formats, however, there are some significant and highly relevant questions of demarcation that cannot be clarified on the basis of the legislative materials and preparatory work. This is not only a problem with the German translation of the original English version, but also results from the partial ambiguity of the English terms. At present, it is necessary to wait until the open questions regarding the distinction are clearly defined by the legislator.

Reusable service packaging

Since 2023, Jokey’s subsidiary brand Keepin has been offering reusable solutions in the field of service packaging. The material and design meet the requirements for reusability and a circular economy very well. Jokey also has experience in the field of reusable food packaging and could contribute this if required by law.

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Further information can be found here:

• Jokey Eco Concept 4.0
• Jokey Jokey Group and REMONDIS Group: Working together for a closed loop in the food industry
• Closed Loop: Jokey is cooperating with the Zentek Group
• Closing material loops while increasing transparency
• RAL Gütegemeinschaft Rezyklate
• KeepIn / WWF: Together with KeepIn for optimised reusable solutions
• KeepIn: Specialists in sustainable reusable packaging

From 12 August 2026, the respective producer must issue a written declaration of compliance for each type of packaging, and keep it together with the relevant technical documentation. They must also hand over the declaration of compliance to a national authority upon justified request. Such a declaration of compliance already exists, for example, for food packaging. In future, they will apply to all packaging and are intended to demonstrate the “compliance of a product’s packaging” (see recital 110) with the requirements of Articles 5 to 12.

Jokey would be happy to help you implement the PPWR. We will support you with all the important answers to your questions. Just talk to our sales team or use our exclusive email contact:

The information contained in this document is for general information purposes only. Although we endeavour to keep the contents up to date and correct, we cannot guarantee the completeness, correctness and timeliness of the information provided. The information on this page does not constitute legal advice and does not replace the need for consultation with a qualified legal advisor. The interpretation and application of the EU Packaging Regulation may vary depending on the individual case. We are not liable for any damages or losses that may arise from the use or non-use of the information contained in this document. We cannot provide a legally binding and conclusive answer to questions and ambiguities regarding the PPWR on this page. Please always consult the current official legal texts and guidelines of the relevant authorities to ensure that you comply with all applicable regulations. Jokey reserves the right to change or update the contents at any time and without prior notice.

Documents and information available for inspection:

• PPWR legal texts