The European Parliament approves the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)
Recently, the European Parliament approved the final text of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). This means that the legislative process for the new regulations is about to be completed.
Next, we only need to wait for the approval process of the European Council. It is reported that the vote is tentatively scheduled for December 16th, and will be announced by the European Commission in the Official Journal of the European Union. It is expected to take effect in early 2025 after the announcement. However, the PPWR has set a transition period of up to 18 months, during which the regulations do not currently have full binding force, and the regulation also includes multiple specific provisions with different transition periods.
In the current global context of high attention to plastic recycling and sustainable development, due to concerns about the EU's declining competitiveness in related fields and the threat to the transformation process of recycled plastics, PPWR plays a crucial role in accelerating the progress of the European plastic system towards the goals of recycling and net zero. Undoubtedly, it is a transformative key step on the EU's path to sustainable packaging development.
The core goals of PPWR include reducing packaging waste, promoting recyclable and reusable materials, and promoting the use of sustainable materials. Specifically, it is required to reduce the number of packaging products put on the market by 5% by 2030, 10% by 2035, and 15% by 2040. At the same time, it is stipulated that all packaging must be recyclable and achieve a high level of recycling efficiency. Starting from 2030, this regulation will prohibit the use of some disposable plastic packaging, strictly prohibit the use of PFAS (perfluorinated and polyfluorinated compounds) in food packaging, and mandate the use of bioplastics in specific items. In addition, a minimum recycling target has been set to fully promote the reuse of packaging, and a deposit return system has been established for specific types of packaging requirements.
Review the process of the introduction of PPWR. Data shows that between 2009 and 2020, the total amount of packaging waste generated by the European Union increased by 20%. The Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD Directive 94/62/EC) provides measures to prevent the generation of packaging waste and promotes the reuse and recycling of packaging, as well as other forms of packaging waste recycling. It also specifies the requirements that all packaging on the EU market must meet. These regulations aim to reduce the disposal of packaging waste and promote a more circular economy. As part of the European Green Deal and the New Circular Economy Action Plan, the European Commission proposed a revised version of the PPWD in November 2022. The goal of this initiative is to ensure that by 2030, all packaging can be reused or recycled in an economically viable manner. The purpose is to strengthen the basic requirements of packaging to ensure its reuse and recycling, promote the absorption of recycled content, and improve the enforceability of requirements. We also envisioned measures to address excessive packaging and reduce packaging waste.
On March 4, 2024, the European Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement on a new regulation, laying the foundation for subsequent processes. On April 24, 2024, the European Parliament approved the preliminary version of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) legislation and announced the repeal of the previous Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD Directive 94/62/EC). Until November 27, 2024, the European Parliament approved the final text of the regulation in its plenary session. According to the plan, the European Council will officially approve it in December 2024. In 2025, the regulation will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and is expected to officially come into effect.
Source: CHEMALL
