The new EU PPWR regulation will impose strict requirements on industrial packaging from 2026 onwards. Companies must focus on reuse, recyclability and digital traceability in order to remain compliant. This article explains what is changing and how your organisation can prepare.
The European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is going to radically change the rules of the game for packaging in the coming years. Whereas the current directive offered mainly general frameworks, the PPWR imposes concrete, binding requirements for the design, use and reuse of packaging throughout the EU. This affects not only consumer packaging, but also industrial packaging such as pallets, crates and customized transport boxes.
For many companies, this means a changeover: packaging must become more reusable, more efficient in volume and more recyclable, while also requiring the use of recycled materials. The consequences are great, both operationally and financially, but those who anticipate the new rules now can also gain competitive advantage.
The question is not whether the PPWR will have an impact on your packaging processes, but how quickly you get your organization ready for the deadlines that start to apply as early as 2026.
The PPWR takes effect in stages, giving companies time to adapt. Still, the first obligations are closer than many organizations think. Here’s the timeline for the industrial packaging Faes works with.
2026 – Start application
As of Aug. 12, 2026, the PPWR is in effect. All new packaging entering the market must meet basic requirements for safety, suitability and minimization of material use.
2028 – Uniform labeling
As of Aug. 12, 2028, packaging must have a uniform material label. This label clearly indicates what material the packaging is made of and how it can be disposed of after use.
2029 – Reuse label and digital information
Starting Feb. 12, 2029, reusable packaging will have a reuse label and often a QR code. This code contains digital information about the packaging’s use, maintenance and reuse cycles.
2030 – Big step in reuse and recyclability
2038 – Further tightening
All packaging must then meet grade A or B for recyclability. Percentages for recycled content are higher than in 2030 and will be matched to material type and application.
The PPWR not only imposes technical and design requirements, but also imposes a significant administrative burden. Reuse rates must be demonstrated, packaging must be labeled and registered, and reporting to regulators and supply chain partners is required. For many companies, this means a new layer of compliance management in addition to their day-to-day operations.
As a packaging partner, we take on the complete management and direction of packaging. We ensure that packaging is used optimally throughout its entire life cycle: from design and use to reuse, cleaning, repair and replacement. Because Faes operates independently, we work with multiple manufacturers and partners. This allows us to always realize the best price-quality, the right specialization and the most sustainable solution for our customers.
Operational advantages
With Faes as a packaging partner, you have real-time data on rotations, reuse percentages and material flows. This makes it easy to comply with laws and regulations and provides insight to optimize logistics and inventory management. Maintenance, cleaning and replacement are coordinated by Faes and carried out through the most suitable partners. In this way we guarantee continuity with minimal packaging stock and maximum availability.
We also take the administrative handling out of your hands completely. Think of integral invoicing of storage, transport and value added services (such as triage and cleaning), linked to transparent reports and clear agreements. This saves time, prevents delays and creates predictability in the process.
Strategic advantage
By outsourcing packaging management to Faes, you reduce internal pressure and reduce the risk of fines or non-compliance. Our system is set up to meet the requirements of the PPWR and aligns seamlessly with sustainability and ESG goals.
The big advantage: Faes thinks beyond cost savings. By managing packaging smarter and more circularly, we realize value creation for the entire supply chain. Companies benefit from a scalable and proven model in which reuse, material optimization and transparent reporting are guaranteed and in which control always remains with the customer.
The PPWR marks a turning point in the way companies design, deploy and manage packaging. For industrial packaging, it means stricter requirements, higher reuse targets and more administrative obligations. Companies that wait until the first deadlines approach risk costly modifications, compliance problems and missed opportunities.
Acting now and working with an independent packaging partner makes the transition to future-proof packaging management not only feasible, but also strategically advantageous. As a director, Faes takes on the complete management and coordination of packaging, including tracking, reporting, maintenance and cooperation with the most suitable producers and partners. This way you stay compliant with the PPWR, create cost savings and logistical efficiency, and at the same time strengthen your sustainability and ESG performance.
The time to step in is now. Those who take the first steps today will not face a challenge in 2026, but a head start.
Thijs Canjels is Business Innovation Manager at Faes and specializes in packaging management and supply chain optimization. In his blogs, he shares insights on efficiency improvements, cost savings and the strategic role of packaging in modern supply chains.
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