SMEunited has called on EU policymakers to suspend the PPWR’s requirement for SMEs to appoint authorized representatives in every Member State, warning of disproportionate costs and administrative burden for smaller businesses.
A survey of 200 British manufacturers and suppliers found that 93 % have been affected or expect to be affected by the PPWR, with over half already making or having completed packaging changes to comply with EU requirements.
A JRC study analysing 19 EU Member States found that plastic was the only packaging category to grow between 2011 and 2025, increasing 11 % to 5.9 million tonnes, while all other materials declined or remained stable.
Biobased, biodegradable and compostable are often used interchangeably but describe three unrelated material properties. The PPWR addresses biobased feedstock and compostability separately under Articles 8 and 9, making the distinction a practical compliance question.
The summer of 2026 brings a series of compliance deadlines for food contact materials. From 16 September 2026, the EU 10/2011 amendments on substance purity, NIAS characterisation and supply chain documentation apply in full.
The bisphenol restriction under Regulation (EU) 2024/3190 applies from 20 July 2026 and PPWR Article 5 chemical requirements follow on 12 August 2026, with both demanding analytical verification.
PR3: The Global Alliance to Advance Reuse has launched a new global symbol to identify reusable packaging and reuse systems, selected through consumer research across 17 countries, reflecting PR3’s ambition to establish the mark as a genuinely global standard.
A broad industry coalition is urging the European Commission to create a digital, EU-wide One-Stop Shop for EPR compliance EU to eliminate 108 parallel, fragmented national reporting processes.
The Commission has referred France to the CJEU over its Triman logo requirement, citing a trade barrier violation under Article 34 TFEU and a failure to notify under Directive 2015/1535.
After nearly six years in progress, the EU’s comprehensive revision of the REACH Regulation has been officially shelved. This removes the prospect of new obligations, but targeted enforcement and the upcoming PFAS restriction mean compliance demands remain fully active.
As the May 31, 2026, unified deadline approaches for six U.S. states, producers must finalize 2025 supply data for the Circular Action Alliance. Failure to report accurate packaging metrics now risks immediate daily fines.
The European Commission’s new fact sheet clarifies how the PPWR transforms the shopping experience. By mandating less excessive packaging and clear sorting labels, it aims to reduce waste while lowering costs.