The European Commission Updates its PPWR Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Ahead of the 12 August 2026 introduction of the European Union's (EU) Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), the European Commission (EC) has updated its PPWR Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document, clarifying that companies placing non-compliant packaging on the market will receive a warning before a fine, and setting out its approach to existing stock.
Section XVI of the document states that: “The economic operator should first receive a warning that non-compliance has been identified, and an opportunity to take corrective action” ... “Only where the non-compliance is not rectified by the economic operator, but instead persists, will Member States be within their rights to take further action (such as prohibiting, recalling, or withdrawing non-compliant packaging).”
The document also states that: “Packaging that has not been placed on the market by 12 August 2026, but that has already been produced and sits in stock, does not have to be destroyed, remanufactured or re-labelled.”
Similarly, it confirms that: “To meet the requirements under Article 15(5) and 15(6), which establish that packaging must bear a unique identification as well as the manufacturer's name and address, it is possible to provide the required information by means of an accompanying document. This is also the case for reusable packaging already placed on the market.”
In total, there are 33 new and updated sections in the PPWR FAQ document. These include clarifications on definitions, as well as the differences between sales, grouped and transport packaging.
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