The EU keeps tightening packaging regulation. The progress of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) turns packaging from "part of transport cost" into "an object that must meet compliance requirements".
Main directions of change
- Recyclability requirements — packaging must meet recyclable-design standards, and some hard-to-recycle materials will be restricted;
- Material reduction — limits on void ratio and layer count, curbing over-packaging;
- Recycled-content ratio — certain packaging types will gradually require a share of recycled material;
- Labels and marks — unified requirements for material marking and disposal instructions on packaging.
Practical impact on cross-border sellers
The most direct impact is in two places:
First is product packaging. If your own-brand packaging uses composite materials (e.g. paper-plastic lamination, multi-layer film), it may need redesign. Such changes involve printing plates, suppliers and certification, with a long cycle.
Second is transport packaging. The use of outer cartons and fillers in first-mile transport may also come under consideration. For our operation, the most direct change is controlling void ratio at loading — actually good for transport safety, since excessive void is itself a main cause of cargo damage.
Own-brand sellers should start inventorying packaging material composition now, especially composite-material usage. Redesigning packaging is a long-cycle action; doing it early beats doing it late.
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