PPWR: New Packaging Requirements Coming into Force in August 2026

From 12 August 2026, the first obligations under the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) 2025/40 will become applicable.

The Regulation introduces harmonized requirements for packaging across the European Union and places greater emphasis on sustainability, transparency and compliance throughout the packaging value chain.

One of the key requirements applicable from August 2026 relates to Article 5, which addresses substances of concern in packaging. Companies placing packaged products on the market must be able to demonstrate compliance with requirements relating to substances such as heavy metals and, where relevant, PFAS. This requires appropriate documentation and supporting evidence from packaging suppliers.

PPWR strengthens the responsibilities of companies placing packaged products on the market, while continuing to require packaging suppliers to provide the information and documentation necessary to support compliance assessments. Companies placing packaged products on the market are responsible for assessing compliance, maintaining technical documentation and Declarations of Conformity, and providing evidence to competent authorities when requested. The European Council of the Paint, Printing Ink, and Artist’s Colours Industry (CEPE) has also emphasized the importance of maintaining documentation that demonstrates compliance with the applicable requirements.

For KANSAI HELIOS, this means working closely with packaging suppliers to obtain the information and documentation required to support compliance assessments and fulfil our regulatory obligations. We are actively preparing for implementation and continue to develop the processes needed to support compliance. At the same time, companies placing packaged products on the market must manage country-specific Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations, including registration, reporting and financing requirements that vary between countries.

PPWR implementation is an ongoing process across the entire packaging value chain. The same regulatory deadline applies not only to companies placing packaged products on the market, but also to packaging manufacturers and suppliers, many of whom are currently finalizing supporting documentation and implementation activities.

KANSAI HELIOS continues to monitor regulatory developments closely and actively cooperates with industry associations, packaging suppliers and other stakeholders to support a practical and consistent approach to compliance. Further information can be found in our official Customer Information on PPWR, available at the end of this article.