The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) has been passed by the European Parliament
According to foreign media reports, the legislative process for the new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) has entered its final sprint stage.
The Environment Committee of the European Union recently confirmed the PPWR regulation, and at the opening of the plenary session, Katarina Barley, Vice President of the European Parliament, announced the correction. According to the parliamentary rules of procedure, if no political group or at least one twentieth of the 720 members of parliament request a vote within 24 hours after the announcement, the PPWR regulation will be passed in parliament.
The regulation has now been approved by the European Parliament. If this regulation is to be officially adopted, the final text still needs to be approved by the Council. According to the EU, this vote is tentatively scheduled for December 16th.
Expected to take effect in early 2025
The relevant progress of this regulation will be announced in the Official Journal of the European Union and is expected to come into effect in early 2025. After an 18 month transition period, the regulation will come into effect. However, the regulation also includes some provisions with different transition periods, which will become binding at a later time.
What is PPWR?
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is a regulation of the European Union (EU) that sets out regulations for packaging and packaging waste in EU member states, with the aim of establishing a standardized legal framework.
On March 4, 2024, the European Commission, European Parliament, and European Council reached a political agreement on PPWR during tripartite negotiations. The English version of the text received a vote of approval from the European Parliament during the plenary session from April 22nd to 25th. Afterwards, the text underwent language legal review and was translated into all EU languages. Therefore, the text only needs to be officially voted on by the newly elected European Parliament and approved by the Council.
What is the goal of PPWR?
The transition from EU directives to EU regulations means that PPWR will come into effect directly in all member states, rather than being implemented through their domestic legislation. Therefore, measures among EU member states will be more coordinated and consistent. In addition, PPWR will introduce significant changes in the legislative framework and set ambitious goals to promote "closed-loop" recycling and reduce the use of major natural resources.
The PPWR plan introduces a national registration obligation for manufacturers before packaging is placed on the market of each member state. It is expected that the European Commission will issue an implementation bill outlining registration requirements to further improve consistency among member states. In addition, PPWR will introduce various restrictions and obligations related to packaging design, material use, and recyclability.
What aspects does PPWR include?
This regulation aims to address the growing waste problem, coordinate internal market rules, and promote a circular economy.
1. Reduce packaging and restrict certain types of substances
Including packaging reduction targets (5% reduction by 2030, 10% reduction by 2035, and 15% reduction by 2040), and requiring EU countries to reduce the amount of plastic packaging waste. In order to reduce unnecessary packaging, the maximum vacancy rate for sub packaging, transportation packaging, and e-commerce packaging shall not exceed 50%; Manufacturers and importers must also ensure that the weight and volume of the packaging are minimized.
Starting from January 1, 2030, certain types of disposable plastic packaging will be prohibited from use. These include packaging for unprocessed fresh fruits and vegetables, food and beverage packaging that can be filled and consumed in cafes and restaurants, individual portions (such as seasonings, sauces, creamers, sugar), micro packaging for toiletries, and very lightweight plastic shopping bags (less than 15 microns).
In order to prevent adverse effects on health, the text includes a ban on the use of "permanent chemicals" (perfluorinated and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS) that exceed a certain threshold in food contact packaging.
2. Encourage consumers to reuse and replenish packaging
It is expected that by 2030, specific reuse targets will be achieved for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage packaging (excluding milk, wine, grape wine, and spirits), transportation and sales packaging, and combination packaging. EU member states may grant five-year exemptions to these requirements under certain conditions.
The ultimate distributor of beverages and takeaway food must provide consumers with the option to bring their own containers. By 2030, they must also strive to provide 10% of products in reusable packaging form.
3. Recyclable packaging, better waste collection and recycling
According to the new regulations, all packaging (excluding lightweight wood, cork, textiles, rubber, ceramics, porcelain, and wax) must meet strict standards in order to be recycled.
These measures also include minimum recycling targets for plastic packaging and minimum recycling targets for packaging waste weight.
By 2029, 90% of disposable plastic and metal beverage containers (up to three liters) must be collected separately (through a deposit refund system or other solutions to ensure collection targets are met).
Which groups will be affected?
PPWR applies to all forms of packaging, regardless of the material used, and to all packaging waste, regardless of its source.
The regulations not only affect all businesses located in the EU, but also impact packaging product companies exporting to the EU. Because the scope of application of PPWR is broader than existing directives, it requires packaging from companies outside the European Union to comply with regulations. However, the final regulations and the groups affected will only be clear after the official guidance materials of PPWR are released.
Source: AdsaleCPRJ
