Regulatory & Policy July 29, 2026
With two weeks to go, three points sit in the detail rather than the headline dates. First, recyclability. The A, B, and C grades are a 2030 obligation, but the recyclability requirement is not, because the Commission guidance states that Article 6(1) "applies from 12 August 2026," measured against the old Directive and EN 13430:2004 until the Article 6(4) act lands. Second, stock. No transitional period exists for exhausting stocks, but packaging already placed on the market "may remain on the market and does not need to be withdrawn," and placing on the market means transfer of ownership or possession, with imports timestamped at release for free circulation. Third, the old Directive. Article 70 repeals Directive 94/62/EC from August 12 but keeps parts running to 2028 and 2029, and Decision 97/129/EC on material identification codes survives to August 2028. Detail and citations are on the Prepare for PPWR tab. Sources: Reg (EU) 2025/40 Arts. 6, 70; Commission Notice C/2026/3084, June 10, 2026 [LOCKED].
Correction (October 24, 2026): The A, B and C grades are not a fixed 2030 obligation. Under Article 6(3) they apply from January 1, 2030, or 24 months after the Article 6(4) delegated acts enter into force, whichever is the latest. [LOCKED]
This entry is part of the PPWR Atlas update log. See the week of July 27, 2026 or the full update archive.