EU Packaging and Packaging Wastes Regulation (PPWR)
What is the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)?
EU Packaging and Packaging Wastes Regulation (PPWR) Some of the provisions under it began to be implemented as of 12 August 2026. The regulation, prepared in line with the European Union's goals of reducing packaging waste, increasing recyclability and strengthening the cyclic economy, introduces new compliance requirements for Turkish exporters offering products to the EU market.
This regulation, which closely concerns all Turkish companies that offer products to the EU market or export packaging directly, brings new standards in trade. As İnovakademi, we have compiled the innovations, critical dates and prominent sectors brought by the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Charter (PPWR) to prepare our exporters for this transformation process.
Critical Dates Featured in the PPWR Calendar
Sustainable packaging management The timeline set to achieve its goals is as follows:
- August 03, 2026: The European Commission has published the current principles of implementation, and our Ministry of Commerce has announced the Turkish "Frequently Asked Questions" document prepared in the light of questions from our exporters.
- August 12, 2026: The start date of the first group implementation provisions and standards under PPWR actually took effect.
- Goals for 2030: The requirement that all packaging in the EU market be designed to be recyclable, prohibiting unnecessary packaging, and starting minimum recycled raw materials usage quotas.
- The Years 2035 and 2040: Recycle packaging waste in scalable form and maximize secondary raw material utilization rates in packaging.
Sectors Affected by PPWR
The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) binds not only packaging manufacturers but all manufacturers who export the goods it produces to the EU in a package. The main sectors that stand out are:
- Food and Beverage Sector: Plastic packaging restrictions, safety requirements in food-contact materials, and compostable packaging requirements are a priority for this sector.
- E-Commerce and Logistics: Limiting the rate of empty volume in shipping packaging (maximum 40% free space rule) and the requirement to switch to reusable packaging systems are introduced.
- Cosmetics and Personal Care: Secondary packaging needs to be reduced, minimalist design principles and packaging must be presented in recyclable format.
- Textile and Ready-to-wear: It is aimed to have a recycled raw material content of protective bags and packaging materials used to transport products.
- Plastic and Packaging Industry: From the design stage, there is a responsibility to be based on cyclicity, to comply with labeling standards, and to increase the rate of recycled raw materials in production.
The New Requirements of PPWR for Exporters
Frequently Asked Questions updated by the European Commission in August 2026 with a Guide Document (Guidance) for the purpose of smooth execution of the application (FAQ) The text has been published.
In addition, a comprehensive Turkish Frequently Asked Questions document based on the Commission's official statements has been prepared by our Ministry to address the hesitations faced by our exporters in the field. It should be remembered that this document will be updated periodically in accordance with the new regulations that the Commission will publish.
PPWR Compliance Road Map for Turkish Exporters
In order to avoid technical obstacles in accessing the EU market, our firms must take the following steps:
- Analyze Your Packaging Inventory: Record the weight, volume, recyclability and raw material structure of the packaging you use.
- Align Supply Chain: Request technical compliance and recycled content verification documents from your packaging suppliers.
- Go to Simplify in Design: Turn to designs that minimize hollow spaces in packaging.
- Follow Official Documents: Update your corporate compliance processes by examining the Turkish guide published by the Ministry.
In this new sustainability-oriented era, companies that adapt early to the rules will turn the Green Covenant process into an advantage. INOVAKADEMI We will continue to stand by our exporters and share up-to-date information.
