{"id":7178,"date":"2025-03-17T12:01:27","date_gmt":"2025-03-17T10:01:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nicola-bernard.de\/?p=7178"},"modified":"2025-03-17T12:01:27","modified_gmt":"2025-03-17T10:01:27","slug":"european-packaging-regulation-requirements-and-obligations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nicola-bernard.de\/en\/european-packaging-regulation-requirements-and-obligations\/","title":{"rendered":"European Packaging Regulation: requirements and obligations"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Packaging Regulation (EU) 2025\/40<\/strong> replaces the previous Packaging Directive from 1994 and introduces significantly stricter sustainability requirements<\/strong>. The regulation was published in the Official Journal of the EU on 22 January 2025<\/strong> and came into force on 11 February 2025<\/strong>. After a transition period of 18 months<\/strong>, it will be mandatory from 12 August 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Who is affected?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The regulation applies to all types of packaging<\/strong> and packaging waste, regardless of the material or place of origin. It obliges all economic operators<\/strong> placing packaging on the EU market. Particularly important: Businesses that fill packaging with goods for the first time<\/strong> are considered manufacturers and are therefore required to comply with the new regulations. This includes producers, private label retailers, importers, as well as shipping and online retailers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

New Obligations for Businesses<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Extended Producer Responsibility<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Manufacturers will be required to cover the full costs of collection, sorting, and recycling<\/strong> of their packaging (Article 45 of the Regulation<\/strong>). Any company placing packaging on the market must also register with a competent authority<\/strong>. Member States must establish a producer register<\/strong> for this purpose (Article 44 of the Regulation<\/strong>). In Germany, the LUCID Central Packaging Register<\/strong><\/a> already exists; however, an EU-wide register is not planned.<\/p>\n

Restriction of Harmful Substances<\/strong><\/h5>\n

The presence and concentration of substances of concern<\/strong> in packaging materials must be minimised<\/strong>. This particularly affects per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)<\/strong>, as well as other problematic chemicals.<\/p>\n

Mandatory Recycling Quotas for Plastic Packaging<\/strong><\/h5>\n

In order to promote the circular economy<\/strong>, the regulation sets minimum levels of recycled materials<\/strong>, e.g.:<\/p>\n