EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)

EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)

Uncover the essentials of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) with our position paper. The purpose of this paper is to guide companies in how to efficiently address the challenges posed by PPWR through the use of GS1 standards and services. The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) aims to facilitate the transition to a circular economy by regulating packaging across its lifecycle from creation to recycling. Adopted in 2022, it harmonizes rules across member states to enhance market efficiency and mitigate the environmental and health impacts of packaging waste. The regulation applies to all packaging and sets targets for ensuring EU packaging is reusable or recyclable by 2030. Download your copy for insights and strategic preparations to ensure compliance.

Download the position paper

An overview

​PPWR is a proposed regulation under the EU’s Green Deal that will reduce packaging waste, increase the use of recycled materials in packaging and promote the circular economy.​ The proposal takes a life-cycle-based perspective and will include requirements from packaging design and labelling of packaging materials to the collection and treatment of waste, to support optimal use of resources throughout the life cycle​. The regulation applies to all types of packaging, both aimed at consumers and, for example, freight transport​
Common targets, metrics and thresholds are proposed across the EU, while some measures are to be developed by individual Member States. The regulation will replace the current directive on packaging​

You can read more about The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation on EUR-Lex

Focus
Packaging and packaging waste
Affected organizations
Producers of packaging and packaging materials, producers and importers of packaged products​
Target group
A variety of stakeholders
Geographical scope
All 27 EU countries

Getting started with GS1 standards and services

To start working towards end-to-end transparency with GS1 standards and services there are a few steps companies can take.

Step 1: Obtain a GS1 company prefix (GCP) license

  • Start by licensing a GS1 company prefix. This prefix allows you to utilize GS1 standards for identifying, labelling and sharing data about products, locations and packages.
  • The GCP serves as the foundation for creating unique numbers that enable barcode generation.

Step 2: Generate identifiers

Once your company has licensed a GCP, you can begin assigning specific identifiers:

Step 3: Use online services from GS1 member organizations

  • Access easy-to-use online services such as My products and My places (names of these services may vary between GS1 member organizations)
  • These services allow you to create and manage identifiers efficiently and make the information available in the GS1 Registry Platform.

Step 4: Promote standardization

  • Ensure that all actors in your supply chain (including suppliers, manufacturers and distributors) follow GS1 standards.
  • Educate them about the benefits of standardized identifiers and a common data sharing standard.

Step 5: Leverage GRP services

When all actors in the supply chain follow GS1 standards:

  • Utilize the GS1 Registry Platform (GRP).

  • Make products and locations searchable and verifiable globally via web services.

Download the position paper here >

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Staffan Olsson, Head of Public Affairs, GS1 Sweden

Contact us

Want to know more about GS1 Sweden and how GS1 standards and services can help businesses effectively manage PPWR? Do not hesitate to get in touch.





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