What is the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and what are the main requirements for cardboard and corrugated cardboard packaging?
The European Union Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is a directly applicable EU legal act aimed at reducing packaging waste, using resources more efficiently, strengthening the circular economy, and ensuring that packaging placed on the EU market is safe and meets specified recyclability requirements.
Although the regulation officially entered into force on February 11, 2025, most of its requirements will start to apply on August 12, 2026. Additional requirements and transitional deadlines will come into effect in subsequent years.
The regulation applies to all packaging materials; however, specific technical and legal requirements are imposed on cardboard and corrugated cardboard packaging, which must be ensured by the packaging manufacturer.
1. Material Safety and Restriction of Chemical Substances
Cardboard and corrugated cardboard packaging are subject to strict material safety requirements.
PFAS restriction in food contact packaging. In packaging that comes into direct contact with food, the concentration of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) cannot exceed the limit values set by the PPWR.
Restriction of heavy metals. The sum of Pb, Cd, Hg, and Cr(VI) levels cannot exceed 100 mg/kg (100 ppm).
2. Recyclability Requirements
The PPWR mandates that packaging must be designed in a way that allows it to be efficiently recycled on an industrial scale.
When designing cardboard and corrugated cardboard packaging, it is important that its structure, as well as the glues, inks, varnishes, plastics, and other materials used, do not unreasonably hinder the recycling of the main material.
Compliance with recyclability requirements is evaluated according to the criteria established by the PPWR and the applicable technical documentation. Relevant European standards and technical specifications, such as EN 13430:2004, may also be used for the evaluation when appropriate for the specific assessment.
3. Optimization of Packaging Weight and Volume
The PPWR requires that packaging weight and volume be no greater than necessary to protect, transport, and deliver the product to the consumer.
The goals when designing packaging are to:
- use only as much material as necessary for product protection;
- avoid excessive structural elements;
- optimize packaging dimensions for logistics and warehousing.
For certain packaging categories, including e-commerce and transport packaging, the PPWR establishes additional requirements regarding the reduction of excessive empty space. However, in cases where a larger packaging format is necessary to protect the product, the regulation provides for exemptions.
Responsibility for selecting the packaging design and dimensions depends on who designs the packaging. If the packaging is manufactured according to the structure, dimensions, or other design specifications provided by the customer, the customer is responsible for selecting these parameters. When MAZUS designs the packaging based on a product or design task provided by the client, the PPWR packaging minimization requirements are taken into account during the design process.
4. Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
Under the PPWR, before placing packaging on the EU market, the manufacturer must perform a conformity assessment and draw up technical documentation. Once compliance with the applicable PPWR requirements is demonstrated, an EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC) is prepared.
The declaration must clearly identify the specific packaging or group / family of packaging to which the declaration applies, ensuring its traceability.
The Declaration of Conformity is based on technical documentation that stores information about the packaging design, materials used, and other documents substantiating its compliance.
MAZUS Commitment
MAZUS issues PPWR declarations of conformity to its customers for packaging for which we have sufficient technical information and documentation substantiating PPWR compliance from raw material and component suppliers.
Suppliers' technical documentation is collected for the raw materials and components we use, and specific packaging data and information supporting its compliance are stored in the MAZUS technical documentation.