EU Packaging Rules (PPWR) Checklist for Brands

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From 12 August 2026

Now: the regulation applies

List every pack you place on the EU market. Product, pack format, materials, supplier and the countries you sell into. Get PFAS confirmation for food-contact packaging. Ask each supplier to confirm in writing that food-contact packaging meets the PFAS limits that apply from 12 August 2026. Collect supplier documentation. Material specifications, recycled content and recyclability information for each pack, kept in one place. Check your producer registrations. Confirm your extended producer responsibility registrations in each member state where you place packaging on the market. Name an owner. Give one person in your business responsibility for packaging compliance and a date to review this list.

By 12 August 2028, or later

Next: labels

Plan space for harmonised labels. Harmonised labels showing material composition apply from the later of 12 August 2028 or 24 months after the Commission's implementing rules. Leave room in your next artwork redesign.

From 1 January 2030

The big design changes

Measure empty space in e-commerce and transit packs. Grouped, transport and e-commerce packaging must keep empty space at 50% or less. Compare pack volume with product volume for your main lines. Right-size your boxes. Redesign packs that carry too much air. It also cuts board, void fill and courier costs today. Minimise weight and volume. Packaging must be cut to the minimum weight and volume it needs to do its job. Design for recycling. Prefer single-material packs, avoid hard-to-separate parts and question heavy plastic films on paper packs. Check recycled content in plastic packaging. Minimum recycled content applies to plastic packaging. Ask suppliers what your plastic packs contain. Check restricted single-use formats. Certain single-use formats listed in the regulation are restricted. Check whether any of yours are affected.

2035 and 2038

Looking further ahead

Plan for recyclability at scale. From 2035 packaging must be recyclable at scale, and from 2038 it must reach the top recyclability grades. Brief new packs to the new rules. Any pack designed now may still be in use in 2030. Make the EU rules part of every new brief.

Your ticks are saved in this browser only, so you can come back to the list. They are not sent to us. This checklist is general information, not legal advice: check the regulation on EUR-Lex and take advice for your own products.

The guide to the EU packaging rules explains each date in more detail.

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FAQ

Common questions

What is the EU packaging rules checklist for?

It turns the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation into 14 practical steps, grouped by date, so a brand can see what to do now and what to plan for 2028, 2030 and beyond.

Does the checklist save my answers?

Your ticks are saved in your own browser only, so you can return to the list later. They are not sent to EasyPak.

Is the checklist legal advice?

No. It is general information for packaging buyers. Check Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on EUR-Lex and take advice for your own products.

Sources

This page is general information for packaging buyers, not legal advice. Checked on 20 October 2026.

Keep reading

Related guides and pages

The EU packaging rules (PPWR) → How to choose a box style → Spec builder → All packaging guides →

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EU packaging rules checklist for brands