When does PPWR apply?

Regulation (EU) 2025/40 applies from August 12, 2026 (Article 71), directly in all 27 member states.

What is the next PPWR deadline?

The next fixed date is February 12, 2027: EPR-scheme marks only through a QR code or other open digital marking (Art. 12(9)); Bring-your-own-container system for takeaway (Art. 32(1)); Penalty rules laid down and notified (Art. 68(1) and (3)). The next date that depends on a Commission act is August 12, 2028 at the earliest: Harmonized material-composition sorting label (Art. 12(1)); A recycled-content label, where used, follows the Art. 12(6) specifications (Art. 12(4)); Harmonized labels on packaging-waste receptacles (Art. 13(1)); Information to end users on the meaning of the Art. 12 labels (Art. 55, point (d)).

Are the 2030 PPWR dates fixed?

Some are and some are not. The Annex V format restrictions and the reuse targets apply from January 1, 2030. The recyclability grade floor, the recycled-content targets and the empty-space limit apply from January 1, 2030 or a set time after the Commission act each depends on, whichever is the latest, so they move later if those acts are late.

PPWR Atlas / Timeline

PPWR Deadlines and Timeline: Every Dated Obligation, 2026 to 2040

Every dated obligation in Regulation (EU) 2025/40, from the date it applied, August 12, 2026, to the 2040 targets. Where the Regulation ties a date to a Commission act, the date shown is the earliest it allows, and the line under it gives the condition, the act it waits on, and whether that act is late.

Next fixed dateFebruary 12, 2027EPR-scheme marks only through a QR code or other open digital marking (Art. 12(9)); Bring-your-own-container system for takeaway (Art. 32(1)); Penalty rules laid down and notified (Art. 68(1) and (3)).

Next earliest dateAugust 12, 2028 at the earliestHarmonized material-composition sorting label (Art. 12(1)); A recycled-content label, where used, follows the Art. 12(6) specifications (Art. 12(4)); Harmonized labels on packaging-waste receptacles (Art. 13(1)); Information to end users on the meaning of the Art. 12 labels (Art. 55, point (d)). This date moves later if the act it waits on is late.

2026

August 12, 2026

Packaging claimed as reusable meets the Art. 11(1) conditions

Applies with the Regulation (Art. 71).

Art. 11(1) · Manufacturer · Locked

August 12, 2026

No misleading marks on matters with harmonized labeling

August 12, 2026; its reach widens when the Article 12(1) harmonized label applies (a reading of the text, not its words).

Art. 12(8) · Economic operators · Locked

August 12, 2026

Substances of concern in packaging minimized

Applies with the Regulation (Art. 71).

Art. 5(1) · Manufacturer · Locked

August 12, 2026

Lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium at 100 mg/kg or less in total

Applies with the Regulation (Art. 71).

Art. 5(4) · Manufacturer · Locked

August 12, 2026

PFAS limits for food-contact packaging

Fixed in the Regulation.

Art. 5(5) · Manufacturer, importer · Locked

August 12, 2026

Packaging is recyclable

Applies with the Regulation (Art. 71).

Art. 6(1) · Manufacturer · Locked

August 12, 2026

The Regulation applies

Fixed in the Regulation.

Art. 71 · Everyone · Locked

2027

February 12, 2027

EPR-scheme marks only through a QR code or other open digital marking

Fixed in the Regulation.

Art. 12(9) · Producers in EPR schemes · Locked

February 12, 2027

Bring-your-own-container system for takeaway

Fixed in the Regulation.

Art. 32(1) · HORECA final distributors · Locked

February 12, 2027

Penalty rules laid down and notified

Fixed in the Regulation.

Art. 68(1) and (3) · Member States · Locked

2028

February 12, 2028

Sales-packaging empty space reduced to the minimum necessary

Fixed in the Regulation.

Art. 24(4) · Economic operators who fill sales packaging · Locked

February 12, 2028

Offer takeaway in reusable packaging

Fixed in the Regulation.

Art. 33(1) · HORECA final distributors · Locked

February 12, 2028

Listed packaging and fruit and vegetable stickers compatible with industrial composting

Fixed in the Regulation.

Art. 9(1) · Manufacturer · Locked

February 12, 2028

Other packaging, including biodegradable plastic, designed for material recycling

Fixed in the Regulation.

Art. 9(3) · Manufacturer · Locked

August 12, 2028

Harmonized material-composition sorting label

August 12, 2028, or 24 months after the Article 12(6) or 12(7) implementing acts enter into force, whichever is the latest. The acts were due August 12, 2026. Acts Tracker, as at October 1, 2026: Deadline missed.

Art. 12(1) · Economic operators placing packaging on the market · Locked

August 12, 2028

A recycled-content label, where used, follows the Art. 12(6) specifications

August 12, 2028, or 24 months after the Article 12(6) implementing act enters into force, whichever is the latest. The act was due August 12, 2026. Acts Tracker, as at October 1, 2026: Deadline missed.

Art. 12(4) · Economic operators that label recycled content · Locked

August 12, 2028

Harmonized labels on packaging-waste receptacles

August 12, 2028, or 30 months after the Article 13(2) implementing acts are adopted, whichever is the latest. The acts were due August 12, 2026.

Art. 13(1) · Member States · Locked

August 12, 2028

Information to end users on the meaning of the Art. 12 labels

August 12, 2028, or the date the relevant provision of Article 12 applies, whichever is the latest.

Art. 55, point (d) · Member States and producer responsibility organisations · Locked

2029

January 1, 2029

Deposit return systems for single-use plastic bottles and metal beverage containers up to three liters

Fixed in the Regulation.

Art. 50(1) · Member States · Locked

January 1, 2029

Recycled-content calculation and verification follow the Art. 7(8) rules

January 1, 2029, or 24 months after the Article 7(8) implementing act enters into force, whichever is the latest. The act is due December 31, 2026. Acts Tracker, as at October 1, 2026: Call for evidence closed.

Art. 7(11) · Manufacturer · Locked

February 12, 2029

Reusable packaging labeled as reusable, with a QR code or data carrier

February 12, 2029, or 30 months after the Article 12(6) implementing act enters into force, whichever is the latest. The act was due August 12, 2026. Acts Tracker, as at October 1, 2026: Deadline missed.

Art. 12(2) · Economic operators placing reusable packaging on the market · Locked

Until December 31, 2029

Directive 94/62/EC essential requirements continue

An end date: the provision of the old Directive continues until then.

Art. 70(1)(b) · Member States (Directive 94/62/EC essential requirements) · Locked

2030

January 1, 2030

Weight and volume reduced to the minimum necessary

Fixed in the Regulation.

Art. 10(1) · Manufacturer, importer · Locked

January 1, 2030

Maximum 50% empty-space ratio

January 1, 2030, or 3 years after the Article 24(2) implementing acts enter into force, whichever is the latest. The acts are due February 12, 2028. Acts Tracker, as at October 1, 2026: Pending.

Art. 24(1) · Economic operators who fill grouped, transport or e-commerce packaging · Locked

January 1, 2030

Annex V format restrictions

Fixed in the Regulation.

Art. 25(1) · Economic operators · Locked

January 1, 2030

Endeavour to dedicate 10% of sales area to refill stations

Fixed in the Regulation.

Art. 28(5) · Final distributors over 400 m2 · Locked

January 1, 2030

At least 40% of transport packaging reusable; 70% endeavour from 2040

Fixed in the Regulation.

Art. 29(1) · Economic operators using transport packaging · Locked

January 1, 2030

At least 10% of beverages in reusable packaging; 40% endeavour from 2040

Fixed in the Regulation.

Art. 29(6) · Final distributors of beverages · Locked

January 1, 2030

Obligation to demonstrate the re-use targets

January 1, 2030, or 18 months after the Article 30(3) implementing act enters into force, whichever is later. The act is due June 30, 2027. Acts Tracker, as at October 1, 2026: Pending.

Art. 30(4) · Economic operators subject to Art. 29 · Locked

January 1, 2030

Innovative-packaging derogation from the recyclability requirements

Fixed in the Regulation.

Art. 6(10) · Economic operators · Locked

January 1, 2030

Packaging designed for recycling

January 1, 2030, or 24 months after the Article 6(4) delegated acts enter into force, whichever is the latest. The acts are due January 1, 2028. Acts Tracker, as at October 1, 2026: Pending.

Art. 6(2)(a) · Manufacturer · Locked

January 1, 2030

Only packaging recyclable within grades A, B or C

January 1, 2030, or 24 months after the Article 6(4) delegated acts enter into force, whichever is the latest. The acts are due January 1, 2028. Acts Tracker, as at October 1, 2026: Pending.

Art. 6(3) · Economic operators placing packaging on the market · Locked

January 1, 2030

Minimum post-consumer recycled content in plastic packaging, first tier

January 1, 2030, or 3 years after the Article 7(8) implementing act enters into force, whichever is the latest. The act is due December 31, 2026. Acts Tracker, as at October 1, 2026: Call for evidence closed.

Art. 7(1) · Manufacturer · Locked

2035

January 1, 2035

Packaging collected, sorted and recycled at scale

January 1, 2035, or five years after the Article 6(5) implementing acts enter into force, whichever is the latest. The acts are due January 1, 2030. Acts Tracker, as at October 1, 2026: Pending.

Art. 6(2)(b) · Manufacturer · Locked

2038

January 1, 2038

Only packaging recyclable within grades A or B

Fixed in the Regulation.

Art. 6(3) · Economic operators placing packaging on the market · Locked

2040

January 1, 2040

Minimum post-consumer recycled content in plastic packaging, second tier

Fixed in the Regulation.

Art. 7(2) · Manufacturer · Locked

Dates that run from a Commission act

These duties have no date in the Regulation. Each starts, or ends, a set time after a Commission act enters into force.

No fixed date

EPR fees modulated by recyclability grade

18 months after the Article 6(4) delegated acts and Article 6(5) implementing acts enter into force (a reading of the text, not its words). The acts are due January 1, 2030. Acts Tracker, as at October 1, 2026: Pending.

Art. 6(8) · Member States and EPR schemes (producer fees) · Locked

No fixed date

Directive 94/62/EC Art. 8(2) marking continues

Until 30 months after the Article 12(6) implementing act enters into force. The act was due August 12, 2026. Acts Tracker, as at October 1, 2026: Deadline missed.

Art. 70(1)(a) · Member States (Directive 94/62/EC marking) · Locked

No fixed date

National producer register established

18 months after the first Article 44(14) implementing act enters into force. The act was due February 12, 2026. Acts Tracker, as at October 1, 2026: Deadline missed.

Art. 44(1) · Member States · Locked

No fixed date

Green public procurement requirements for packaging

12 months after the Article 63(1) implementing acts enter into force. The acts are due February 12, 2030.

Art. 63(2) · Contracting authorities and entities · Locked

Built from the PPWR Atlas duty records, 40 dated provisions, each read in the Official Journal text. Not legal advice. Which acts are still pending is on the Acts Tracker, what the declaration of conformity covers on each date is on the declaration of conformity page, and what to do about each date is on Get Ready for PPWR.