The articles of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation that compliance teams are most often handed by a customer, a lawyer or a supplier. Each page gives the compliance date, who the article binds, a plain-English summary, and a link to the EUR-Lex text.
| Article | Title | Applies from | Binds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Article 3 | Definitions | 12 August 2026 | Everyone |
| Article 5 | Requirements for substances in packaging | 12 August 2026 | Manufacturers, importers, non-EU producers |
| Article 6 | Recyclable packaging | Art. 6(1) from 12 August 2026; grades from 1 January 2030 | Manufacturers, importers |
| Article 7 | Minimum recycled content in plastic packaging | 1 January 2030, or 3 years after the Art. 7(8) act, whichever is later | Manufacturers, importers |
| Article 9 | Compostable packaging | 12 February 2028 | Manufacturers, importers |
| Article 10 | Packaging minimization | 1 January 2030 | Manufacturers, importers |
| Article 11 | Reusable packaging | 12 August 2026 | Manufacturers, importers, distributors |
| Article 12 | Labeling of packaging | 12 August 2028, or 24 months after the Art. 12(6) or 12(7) acts, whichever is later | Manufacturers, importers, distributors |
| Article 15 | Obligations of manufacturers | 12 August 2026 | Manufacturers |
| Article 16 | Information obligations of suppliers | 12 August 2026 | Packaging suppliers and converters |
| Article 24 | Obligation related to excessive packaging | 1 January 2030, or 3 years after the Art. 24(2) acts, whichever is later | Whoever fills the packaging |
| Article 25 | Restrictions on use of certain packaging formats | 1 January 2030 | All economic operators |
| Article 26 | Obligations in relation to reusable packaging | 12 August 2026 | Economic operators using reusable packaging |
| Article 29 | Re-use targets | 1 January 2030 | Economic operators; Art. 29(6) binds final distributors |
| Article 38 | Conformity assessment procedure | 12 August 2026 | Manufacturers |
| Article 39 | EU declaration of conformity | 12 August 2026 | Manufacturers |
| Article 44 | Register of producers | Register operational from 12 August 2026; format act overdue | Producers, authorized representatives |
| Article 45 | Extended producer responsibility | 12 August 2026 | Producers |
| Article 50 | Deposit and return systems | 1 January 2029 | Member States, producers, final distributors |
| Article 70 | Repeal and transitional provisions | 12 August 2026 | Everyone |
| Annex VII | Conformity assessment procedure, Module A | 12 August 2026 | Manufacturers |
| Annex VIII | EU declaration of conformity, model structure | 12 August 2026 | Manufacturers |