{"id":34569,"date":"2025-03-22T19:32:18","date_gmt":"2025-03-22T18:32:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.co2news.sk\/?p=34569"},"modified":"2025-03-22T19:36:13","modified_gmt":"2025-03-22T18:36:13","slug":"34569","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.co2news.sk\/en\/2025\/03\/22\/34569\/","title":{"rendered":"Implementation of the Regulation on Packaging and Packaging Waste"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/euagenda.eu\/publications\/download\/620039\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Detailed instructions<\/span><\/a> for national and local governments to implement the revised <a href=\"https:\/\/eur-lex.europa.eu\/legal-content\/EN\/TXT\/PDF\/?uri=OJ:L_202500040\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Regulation (EU) 2025\/40 <\/span><\/a>on packaging and packaging waste (PPWR). The aim of the regulation, which has<!--more--> The aim of the PPWR is to reduce the amount of packaging waste in the EU, which is a major contributor to the environmental crisis. The guidance highlights the opportunities that the PPWR provides for ambitious action to reduce record levels of packaging waste.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1. Scope of the Regulation<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The PPWR sets requirements for sustainability, labeling, and packaging information.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Member States may adopt additional measures regarding packaging that are appropriate to their specific national context.<\/strong>, in order to achieve the objectives of the Regulation, as long as these measures do not constitute unjustified and disproportionate obstacles to the single market.<\/li>\n<li>Member States may maintain existing national sustainability requirements that are additional to those set out in the PPWR until 1 January 2030, as long as they do not conflict with the PPWR and do not restrict the placing on the market of packaging that complies with the Regulation. For example, they may maintain existing bans on single-use plastics for fruit and vegetable packaging and for beverage and food packaging consumed in HORECA establishments.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The PPWR and the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD) are complementary and must be interpreted harmoniously<\/strong>SUPD takes precedence over PPWR as <em>special law<\/em>, unless otherwise provided by the PPWR. For example, the packaging bans under the PPWR take precedence over the SUPD with respect to single-use plastic beverage and food packaging.<\/li>\n<li>The PPWR gives Member States limited powers to act in the field of chemicals. They can ask the Commission to consider restricting substances of concern. On the other hand, the REACH Regulation allows Member States to take temporary measures if there are justified concerns for human health or the environment regarding packaging that complies with the regulations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>2. Main elements on which national decision-makers can build<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Waste prevention<\/strong> is the most effective way to improve resource efficiency. The PPWR sets targets for reducing packaging waste: 5 % by 2030, 10 % by 2035 and 15 % by 2040 (compared to 2018 levels). A combination of measures is needed to achieve these targets, including eliminating unnecessary packaging, restricting the use of certain formats, promoting reuse and refilling, as well as introducing economic incentives. Member States are invited to introduce additional measures to promote reuse and refilling.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Solving unnecessary packaging:<\/strong> The PPWR introduces bans on certain types of single-use packaging, in particular plastic. However, it is important to avoid the substitution of one type of single-use packaging by another (e.g. plastic by paper), as this will not lead to a reduction in the overall amount of waste. Member States should extend the market restrictions to packaging made from plasticised paper, as the definition of single-use plastics under the SUPD covers all products made entirely or partly from plastic.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Reuse:<\/strong> The PPWR sets binding reuse targets for certain packaging sectors by 2030 and recommended targets by 2040. It introduces an obligation for the HORECA sector to offer takeaway food and drinks in reusable packaging. Member States may set higher reuse targets for other types of packaging. It is recommended that the reuse obligation also apply to retail outlets selling ready-to-eat meals.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Refilling:<\/strong> The PPWR introduces refilling obligations. The HORECA sector must accept that consumers bring their own containers for refilling drinks and take-away meals by 17 February 2027. Retailers with a sales area of more than 400 m\u00b2 should aim to set aside 10 % of this area for refilling stations by January 2030. Member States are invited to set binding refilling targets and extend this obligation to retail.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Substances of concern and microplastics:<\/strong> The PPWR requires the minimisation of the presence and concentration of hazardous chemicals in packaging and introduces a ban on the use of PFAS in food packaging (from 12 August 2026). Member States should invest in identifying substances that negatively affect reuse and recycling and support the development of analytical tools to monitor microplastics.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Backup Systems (DRS):<\/strong> The PPWR mandates the implementation of a DRS to achieve a 90% collection rate for plastic bottles and cans by 2029. The DRS is considered the most effective way to achieve this target, while also contributing to reducing pollution and promoting reuse. Member States should implement the DRS as soon as possible, extend its scope to other types of packaging and coordinate with neighbouring countries.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Recycling and recycled content:<\/strong> The PPWR stipulates that all packaging placed on the EU market must be recyclable, with details to be specified in implementing legislation. It also sets targets for recycled content in plastic packaging. Member States should actively participate in the development of implementing legislation and ensure that recyclability criteria take into account the safety and cost-effectiveness of the recyclate. It recommends the introduction of mandatory third-party audits for recycled content claims.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>3. Timetable<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>February 11, 2025:<\/strong> The regulation enters into force.<\/li>\n<li><strong>March 2025:<\/strong> The authors publish this implementation guide.<\/li>\n<li><strong>By the end of 2026:<\/strong> The European Commission is to adopt recyclability criteria and methods for defining the extent of recycling.<\/li>\n<li><strong>August 12, 2026:<\/strong> The regulation will enter into force. The ban on the use of PFAS in food packaging will enter into force.<\/li>\n<li><strong>By the end of 2026:<\/strong> Methodologies regarding recyclability and recycled content are to be adopted.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Until 31 December 2025:<\/strong> Member States should invest in identifying substances that negatively affect reuse and recycling.<\/li>\n<li><strong>By the beginning of 2027 (at the latest):<\/strong> Support a comprehensive and timely revision of the framework regulation on food contact materials (EU 1935\/2004).<\/li>\n<li><strong>February 17, 2027:<\/strong> The HORECA sector must accept consumers&#039; own containers for refilling drinks and takeaway meals.<\/li>\n<li><strong>By 2027 at the latest:<\/strong> It is recommended to implement DRS systems.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Until February 2028:<\/strong> Introducing the option of reusable packaging in the HORECA sector under conditions no worse than disposable alternatives.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Until August 2028:<\/strong> The HORECA sector should strive to achieve 10 % of products sold in reusable packaging.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Until 1 January 2029:<\/strong> Fulfillment of basic requirements for the implementation of DRS.<\/li>\n<li><strong>By 2029:<\/strong> Achieving a 90% separate collection rate for plastic bottles and cans through DRS.<\/li>\n<li><strong>By January 2030:<\/strong> Retailers with a sales area of over 400 m\u00b2 should set aside 10 % of space for charging stations. Member States may maintain existing national sustainability requirements until this date.<\/li>\n<li><strong>By 2030:<\/strong> Achieving the goals of reducing packaging waste by 5 %, reusing transport and sales packaging (including e-commerce) by 40 %, group packaging by 10 %, and beverage packaging by 10 %.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Until 1 January 2030:<\/strong> Member States may maintain existing bans on single-use plastics for certain uses.<\/li>\n<li><strong>By 2035:<\/strong> Achieving the goal of reducing packaging waste by 10 %.<\/li>\n<li><strong>By 2040:<\/strong> Achieving the goals of reducing packaging waste by 15 %, reusing for transport and sales packaging (including e-commerce) by 70 %, and for group packaging by 25 % and for beverage packaging by 40 %.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Member States have considerable scope to adopt more ambitious measures<\/strong> beyond the minimum requirements of the PPWR, with the aim of effectively addressing the problem of packaging waste and moving towards a circular economy. <em><strong>Spring<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Glossary of key terms<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>DRS (Deposit Return System):<\/strong> A system in which consumers pay a refundable deposit when purchasing products in certain packaging and receive this deposit back when the empty packaging is returned.<\/li>\n<li><strong>EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility):<\/strong> A principle of environmental policy according to which manufacturers are responsible for the environmental impacts of their products throughout their life cycle, including the post-consumption phase.<\/li>\n<li><strong>HORECA:<\/strong> Hospitality and food services sector (Hotels, Restaurants, Caf\u00e9s).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lex posterior:<\/strong> A Latin legal principle according to which a later law repeals an earlier law if they are in conflict.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Special law:<\/strong> A Latin legal principle according to which a special law takes precedence over a general law if they regulate the same matter.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Microplastics:<\/strong> Tiny plastic particles less than five millimeters in size.<\/li>\n<li><strong>PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances):<\/strong> A group of synthetic chemicals that are persistent in the environment and can have negative health effects.<\/li>\n<li><strong>PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation):<\/strong> Revised EU regulation aimed at reducing packaging waste and improving its sustainability.<\/li>\n<li><strong>REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals):<\/strong> An EU regulation governing the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Refill \/ Refill:<\/strong> Filling a reusable container with product.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Reuse \/ Reuse:<\/strong> Reuse of packaging for the same purpose for which it was intended.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Single-use plastics:<\/strong> Plastics that are not designed for repeated use. The definition under the Single-Use Plastics Directive also applies in the PPWR for the regulation of these items.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Substances of concern:<\/strong> Substances that have potential negative effects on human health or the environment. The definition is given in the Ecodesign Regulation for Sustainable Products.<\/li>\n<li><strong>SUPD (Single-Use Plastics Directive):<\/strong> An EU directive that aims to reduce the environmental impact of certain single-use plastic products.<\/li>\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Detailed guidance for national and local governments on the implementation of the revised Regulation (EU) 2025\/40 on packaging and packaging waste (PPWR). The aim of the Regulation, which has<\/p>","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-34569","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-klimaticka-zmena"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.co2news.sk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34569","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.co2news.sk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.co2news.sk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.co2news.sk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.co2news.sk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34569"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.co2news.sk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34569\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.co2news.sk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34569"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.co2news.sk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34569"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.co2news.sk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34569"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}