Prepare packaging compliance strategies for new EU PPWR requirements.
Preparing Your Business for PPWR
The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) (EU 2025/40) introduces new requirements that will fundamentally change how packaging is designed, manufactured, evaluated, documented, and managed throughout its lifecycle.
Beginning August 12, 2026, organizations placing packaging on the EU market will need to demonstrate compliance with new restrictions on hazardous substances, improve packaging sustainability, enhance traceability, and meet expanded producer obligations.
Whether you are a manufacturer, brand owner, importer, or supplier, understanding your obligations now is essential to maintaining market access.
Effective August 12, 2026
The EU PPWR outlines requirements to be implemented in a phased approach over a number of years. The initial phase, effective August 12, 2016, introduces new labelling and chemical restrictions intended to clearly identify ownership of packaging waste and reduce harmful substances that will negatively impact human health and the environment from getting into the waste stream. The restrictions include Heavy metals and PFAS in food packaging materials.
The PPWR also calls out requirements for Extended Producer Responsibilities (EPR) within member States as well as Packaging and Conformity Assessment guidance in this initial phase.
How Intertek Can Help
Intertek helps organizations understand complex regulations and build practical compliance strategies to reduce compliance and quality risks.
Navigate PPWR requirements with confidence. Our service include:
- Packaging Assessments
Our packaging assessments help determine whether your packaging meets current and emerging regulatory requirements. We evaluate packaging composition, recyclability, reusability, material recovery, compostability, biodegradability, and sustainability performance to identify opportunities for compliance and improvement. - Packaging Optimization
Our packaging optimization service help to right-size packaging, and provides sustainable, cost-effective solutions that meet performance and compliance requirements. Our specialists support material selection, package redesign, weight distribution, improved product protection, sustainability enhancements, and regulatory compliance by design to create packaging that meets both business and environmental goals. - Chemical Testing
Our chemical testing services help verify compliance with PPWR substance restrictions. Intertek laboratories provide testing for heavy metals, PFAS, and other restricted substances as required to support regulatory compliance and ensure packaging safety. - Recycled Content Verification
Intertek’s recycled content verification services support credible sustainability claims through independent assessment and validation. We verify the process from sourcing to production to assess recycled content inputs, evaluate supply chain traceability, review supporting documentation, and provide third-party validation and certification to help ensure transparency and compliance. - Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
Our Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) services help organizations prepare for evolving producer obligations and regulatory requirements. Intertek supports EPR education, obligation reviews, country-specific assessments, registration support, ongoing compliance management, and full-service EPR execution to simplify compliance across markets.
Why Work With Intertek?
Rather than offering a single service, we partner with organizations throughout their compliance journey, from strategy through implementation.
- Understand regulatory obligations
- Reduce compliance risk
- Validate product claims
- Improve sustainability performance
- Streamline supplier engagement
- Accelerate market access
Are you Ready for PPWR?
Whether you're just beginning your PPWR journey or preparing for implementation, Intertek's Risk Strategy & Management team can help develop a practical compliance strategy tailored to your products, packaging, and supply chain.
Contact the Intertek Risk Strategy & Management team today to discuss your PPWR compliance strategy.