EU PPWR: What the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation Means for Glass Packaging

Key message

The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, Regulation (EU) 2025/40, is the EU’s new harmonised packaging law. It replaces the old Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive and sets stricter rules on packaging design, recyclability, reuse, labelling, waste reduction and producer responsibility. It entered into force on 11 February 2025 and will generally apply from 12 August 2026.

What is PPWR?

PPWR is designed to reduce packaging waste across the EU and make packaging more circular. It applies across the full packaging life cycle, including production, use, collection, recycling and waste management. Its aim is to prevent unnecessary packaging, promote reuse and refill systems, improve recyclability, and harmonise rules across EU Member States.

Why it matters

For businesses selling packaged goods into the EU, PPWR means packaging choices will need to be considered earlier in the product development process. Packaging will increasingly need to be recyclable, correctly labelled, minimised where possible and compliant with EU market requirements. UK exporters placing packaged products on the EU market will also need to understand the rules, as non-compliance could create border, sales or customer issues.

Main areas covered by PPWR

Recyclability
Packaging placed on the EU market will need to meet recyclability requirements, supporting the EU objective that all packaging should be reusable or recyclable by 2030.

Packaging minimisation
The regulation targets unnecessary packaging and over-packaging, encouraging businesses to use only the packaging needed to safely protect, transport and present the product.

Reuse and refill
Certain sectors and packaging formats will face reuse or refill obligations, designed to reduce single-use packaging waste.

Labelling and consumer information
PPWR introduces clearer requirements around packaging labelling so consumers and waste operators can better identify, sort and recycle packaging.

Recycled content
The regulation introduces recycled content targets for plastic packaging by 2030 and 2040. This is less directly relevant to glass containers themselves, but still important where plastic closures, components or secondary packaging are used.

What does this mean for glass packaging?

Glass remains a strong packaging choice under a circular packaging framework because it is widely recyclable, inert, reusable in suitable systems, and well established in food, drink and pharmaceutical packaging markets. For brands, the main PPWR considerations around glass will likely include recyclability, lightweighting, minimising excess packaging, correct labelling, closure selection, palletisation and any secondary or transit packaging used alongside the glass container.

Pattesons’ view

At Pattesons Glass, we support the move towards more sustainable packaging. Our focus is on helping customers choose glass packaging that balances product protection, presentation, compliance and environmental performance. Lightweighting is becoming increasingly important, particularly as packaging regulations and producer responsibility costs develop across Europe.

How Pattesons Glass is Preparing for PPWR

As the implementation date approaches, Pattesons Glass is taking proactive steps to ensure our supply chain is ready for the new requirements under the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).

Supplier Compliance Programme

Over the coming weeks, we will be issuing a PPWR Supplier Declaration Questionnaire to all of our suppliers—not just our glass manufacturers, but suppliers across every product category.

The purpose of this questionnaire is to obtain formal confirmation that suppliers:

• Already comply with the requirements of PPWR; or
• Have a clear plan in place to achieve compliance ahead of the Regulation’s application date of 12 August 2026.

This process will help us maintain confidence throughout our supply chain and provide our customers with greater assurance that the products we supply meet the latest regulatory expectations.

Our Commitment to Customers

Alongside gathering declarations from suppliers, we are also preparing a Pattesons PPWR Wholesaler & Distributor Declaration.

This declaration will confirm our own commitment as a wholesaler and distributor and will provide customers with supporting compliance information where required.

The declaration may be issued as:

• a standalone PPWR declaration; or
• incorporated into our existing Declaration of Compliance & Conformity, which many customers already receive with their documentation.

By integrating PPWR information into our existing compliance processes, we aim to make regulatory requirements as straightforward as possible for our customers.

Supporting Our Customers

We recognise that PPWR represents one of the most significant changes to packaging legislation in recent years. While many of the detailed delegated acts and technical guidance are still being finalised by the European Commission, we are committed to staying ahead of these developments.

Our team continues to work closely with manufacturers, suppliers and industry partners to monitor updates, review product compliance and provide customers with the latest information as it becomes available.

Whether you’re purchasing glass bottles, jars, closures or complete packaging solutions, our goal is to help ensure your packaging is not only fit for purpose today but also ready for tomorrow’s regulatory landscape.