The date you keep hearing is August 12, 2026. That makes sense, since the PPWR takes effect on that date. However, that’s not the date you should base your planning on. The requirements that really cost money and time—such as recycled content, recyclability, and prohibited packaging types—won’t take effect until 2030. But preparing for them will take years rather than months. So our advice is definitely to start early.
In this article, we’ll outline the timeline for you, from 2026 to 2040, including what will apply at each milestone. We base this on Regulation (EU) 2025/40, the official text of the PPWR. This article is part of our overview of the new European packaging regulation.
Why August 12, 2026, Is Important
The PPWR took effect on February 11, 2025, but the fact that it has taken effect does not mean that the rules apply to you yet. There is an 18-month transition period: the regulation will not apply and the first obligations will not take effect until August 12, 2026.
From that point on, there will no longer be any room for delay through national legislation. The PPWR is a regulation, not a directive. It applies directly in all member states, without the Netherlands having to transpose it into national law. So whatever is in the text is binding on you as well.
The Timeline at a Glance
The table shows what is included for each milestone. Be sure to keep an eye on 2030—that’s where the focus lies.
| Date | What will apply? | For whom or for what type of packaging |
| Aug. 12, 2026 | Declaration of Conformity and technical documentation, packaging traceable to the manufacturer, minimizing substances of concern, limit values for PFAS in food contact, rules for environmental claims | All packaging |
| Aug. 12, 2028 | Harmonized label regarding material and sorting | All packaging, except for shipping packaging |
| Feb. 12, 2029 | Label for reusable packaging, with a QR code | Reusable packaging |
| January 1, 2030 | Recycled content in plastic, recyclability (at least Class C), maximum 50% void space, initial reuse targets, prohibited packaging types, 5% reduction in packaging waste (in the EU, not per company) | Manufacturers and importers, in particular |
| January 1, 2035 | 10% less packaging waste; recyclability also assessed in real-world conditions (“recycled at scale”) | All packaging |
| January 1, 2038 | Recyclability: at least Class B | All packaging on the market |
| January 1, 2040 | Higher percentages of recycled content and reuse, 15% less packaging waste | Manufacturers and importers, in particular |
Two notes regarding this table. These are the key milestones, not the complete list: our free PPWR tool will outline which requirements apply to your packaging and on what dates. Also, some dates may be pushed back, as they are linked to EU implementing regulations that have not yet been adopted.
By milestone: What will apply?
You can find the details for each requirement, along with the corresponding articles from the regulation, in our article on the PPWR requirements. Here are the main points.
2026: The Beginning
Starting August 12, 2026, each package must include a declaration of conformity with technical documentation, and your packaging must be traceable back to the manufacturer. In addition, you must minimize the use of substances of concern in packaging, and limit values for PFAS in food contact packaging will apply. Please note: there is no phase-out period for food contact packaging placed on the market after this date. Environmental claims regarding your packaging must also meet certain requirements starting on that date.
2028 and 2029: Labeling and Reporting
Starting August 12, 2028, a harmonized label indicating the material composition will be mandatory, featuring pictograms to help consumers sort their waste. Starting February 12, 2029, a label for reusable packaging will be added, featuring a QR code that links to the reuse system. In 2029, producers will also report for the first time in accordance with the new, harmonized European rules.
2030: the key deadline
The strict requirements will take effect all at once: recycled content in plastic packaging, recyclability of at least Class C, a maximum of 50% empty space for group, transport, and shipping packaging, the first reuse targets, and the prohibited packaging types. In addition, packaging waste per resident must have decreased by 5% compared to 2018. While the latter is formally a target for member states, the resulting policies will affect you as well.
2035 and beyond: the bar is being raised
Starting in 2035, recyclability will also be assessed in practice: a material must then actually be recycled on a large scale, not just be recyclable on paper. Starting in 2038, Class B will be the minimum standard for recyclability, and starting in 2040, the percentages for recycled content and reuse will increase further. Meanwhile, the waste prevention target will rise to 10% in 2035 and 15% in 2040.
What is not yet certain
Some parts of the PPWR have not yet been finalized down to the last detail. The exact recyclability criteria, the calculation methods for recycled content and void space, and the specifics of the reuse targets will be established in the coming years through special EU implementing rules. This won’t change much for your planning: the direction is set. We’d be happy to work with you to determine which requirements apply to your packaging.
Why You Should Start Now
Suppose you have to meet recycled content and recyclability requirements by 2030. In that case, your packaging will need to be redesigned, you’ll have to test and qualify new materials, and your suppliers will need to provide the proper documentation. In practice, this can easily take one to two years, and the burden of proof depends on data from your suppliers. “We’ll start in 2028” is therefore a risky gamble: the lead time is the real problem, not the deadline itself.
Where do you start?
Don’t try to do everything at once. Start by taking stock: which packaging products are you bringing to market, and which deadline applies to which product first? Then prioritize them by date. That way, a large regulation becomes a manageable list.
Want to know which of these deadlines apply to your packaging? The free PPWR tool creates a personalized to-do list organized by date. And if you need to make sure everything is done just right, Empact is here to help. Read more about our approach here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will August 12, 2026, be postponed again?
The effective date itself is fixed. What is still subject to change, however, is the specifics of a number of requirements: these will be addressed through supplementary EU regulations. This will not affect the date on which the regulation takes effect.
Which deadline is most important to me?
That depends on your role and the type of packaging you’re bringing to market. In our article on roles under the PPWR, you can learn how to determine your role, and the free PPWR tool will then show you the correct deadlines.
Do I need to do something now, or not until around 2030?
Now. Not because 2030 is tomorrow, but because the preparations take years. Define your role, take inventory of your packaging, and start a dialogue with your suppliers.