With the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), the EU is implementing a central component of its sustainability and circular economy strategy. In addition to new material and environmental requirements, the regulation establishes a comprehensive and binding framework for the conformity assessment of packaging for the first time. The PPWR will apply in the EU from August 12, 2026 —what does this mean for Swiss companies?
You are affected if you:
- Manufacture packaging or packaging materials used by companies in the European market
- Exporting packaged products to the EU
In our free webinar, we explain which obligations will apply from August 2026 and where there is still some time left. In particular, we address the following questions:
- What data must be provided and in what form?
- What requirements must packaging meet in order to be compliant, e.g., with regard to harmful substances, recyclability, and size minimization?
- What other obligations are there besides the declaration of conformity?
Interested? Register now!
More background information now:
The Declaration of Conformity
As part of the conformity assessment, the manufacturer of packaging declares on their own responsibility that the packaging meets all relevant requirements of the PPWR. These include requirements for contained substances, design for recycling (DfR), recyclability, use of recycled materials, compostability, minimization of size and weight, reusability, and correct labeling. The corresponding declaration of conformity must be kept for at least five years, or ten years in the case of reusable packaging.
From August 12, 2026, proof of conformity will be a prerequisite for placing products on the market. This is based on technical documentation, defined assessment procedures, and a formal declaration of conformity in accordance with PPWR. A key element is the provision of reliable information throughout the entire supply chain. While the main target audience of PPWR is packaging manufacturers (with extended producer responsibility), producers are responsible in particular for the technical documentation of packaging.
Focus on pollutants
Material requirements are now particularly important: packaging must be designed and manufactured in such a way that the presence and concentration of substances of concern are minimized throughout the entire life cycle, including emissions, secondary raw materials, and microplastics. The PPWR defines specific limit values, including for heavy metals and PFAS in packaging that comes into contact with food (newly applicable from August 12, 2026). Today, the focus is primarily on product safety aspects, but in the future, comprehensive sustainability and circularity criteria will increasingly be added.
Urgent need for action
For companies, this results in a concrete and urgent need for action. Product development, testing, and documentation processes must be reviewed and adapted. Material screening across all packaging components—including printing inks, adhesives, and barriers—should be established. PFAS and heavy metal testing should be planned unless reliable data is available. At the same time, supplier declarations must be standardized and technical evidence must be systematically requested and documented in order to meet the requirements of Annex VII of the PPWR.
Clear responsibilities, early clarification of data requirements, and sufficient time buffers for evaluation procedures are crucial. Companies that wait until shortly before the deadline to respond risk delays in market approval. The regulatory framework of the PPWR will be further specified in the coming months and years, in particular through implementing acts and guidelines. We expect the new CEN standard on recyclability for plastics to be published in the spring and the technical specification on recyclability for all other packaging materials in early summer.
How we can support you
Whether you are a manufacturer or producer, we can help you design your packaging to be PPWR-compliant and prepare the necessary documentation. We check your packaging for recyclability, advise you on design for recycling and the use of recycled materials, and support you in obtaining the necessary proof of freedom from harmful substances.
We work with both individual packaging items and entire product portfolios. For efficient data management and long-term storage, we use the Packaging Cockpit, which is closely aligned with the requirements of the PPWR and, in addition to recyclability and life cycle assessment, also displays declarations of conformity and other relevant properties. We also have extensive expertise in the use of recycled materials to fully support the closed-loop cycle.
Contact us for a no-obligation initial consultation —we will show you how to make your packaging legally compliant and future-proof.