Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)

The PPWR includes several important points that will impact business processes:

• Ban on Certain Types of Packaging: By 2030, certain types of packaging will be prohibited. This includes single-use packaging in the hospitality sector (drinks and food), retail (fresh fruits/vegetables), and hotels (toiletries and hygiene products).
• Recyclable Packaging: From 2030 onwards, all packaging must be reusable.
• Ban on Excessive Space in Packaging: Packaging must be as lightweight as possible, and no more than 40% of the packaging can consist of space or air.
• Increase in Recycled Material in Packaging: The use of recycled materials in packaging must be increased.
• Reduction of Certain Substances in Packaging: Packaging materials must collectively contain no more than 100 mg/kg of lead, cadmium, mercury, and hexavalent chromium.
• Reduction in the Weight of Marketed Packaging per Inhabitant.

Please note that the current proposal, including these key points, has not yet been officially adopted by the European Commission and is subject to change.

On November 30, 2022, the European Commission introduced the first proposal for the PPWR legislation. Since then, the proposal has been under review by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union. By the end of November 2023, there was a vote on the PPWR. On March 4, 2024, the European Parliament and the Council reached a provisional compromise on the PPWR regulations after several months of negotiations. The European Commission has yet to agree on the final outcome of these negotiations.

The PPWR is expected to be approved, signed, and published by the Parliament and the Council around late 2024 or early 2025. The PPWR measures will come into effect twelve months after publication.

The introduction of the PPWR legislation will have significant implications for every e-commerce company. This legislation will push businesses to use custom-sized packaging, thereby reducing the use of oversized shipping boxes. Companies will be more obligated to package online orders sustainably, with minimal environmental impact. The use of reusable materials in packaging will gradually become the standard. The PPWR, along with the CSRD legislation, serves as a guide towards a more sustainable future.

At Sparck, we are eager to collaborate with you to achieve your company's sustainability goals. We do this by offering innovative solutions that ensure your business is compliant with EU legislation.

The CVP Impack and CVP Everest are automatic packaging machines designed for custom-sized boxes. Using 3D scanning technology, each order is measured precisely, and a perfectly fitting box is folded around it. This ensures a quick packaging process and reduces packaging material by up to 30%. A custom-sized box results in an average volume saving of 50% compared to standard American folding cartons.