Glossary

Plain-language definitions of the PPWR terms you’ll meet across this site.

PPWR

The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. It entered into force on 11 February 2025 and becomes generally applicable on 12 August 2026, setting binding rules on packaging substances, recyclability, recycled content, reuse, and producer responsibility.

Manufacturer

Any person who manufactures packaging or packaged products, or has them designed or manufactured under their own name or trademark. Typically the brand owner or filler for sales packaging.

Producer

A manufacturer, importer, or distributor who first makes packaging available on the territory of a Member State, including distance sellers selling directly to end users in another Member State.

Importer

Any person established within the EU who places packaging from a third country on the EU market.

Distributor

Any person in the supply chain, other than the manufacturer or importer, who makes packaging available on the market.

Final Distributor

The entity in the supply chain that delivers packaged products directly to the end user.

Supplier

Any person supplying empty packaging or packaging materials to a manufacturer.

EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility)

The obligation for producers to register in each Member State's National Producer Register and pay fees covering the cost of managing packaging waste.

Declaration of Conformity (DoC)

A written declaration, issued under the sole responsibility of the manufacturer, confirming that a packaging type conforms with PPWR requirements. Follows the template in Annex VIII.

Annex VII

The Technical Documentation dossier manufacturers must establish for each packaging type, describing the packaging, materials, and how recyclability, minimisation, and reusability were assessed.

Design for Recycling (DfR)

The set of criteria used to assess and design packaging so it can be effectively recycled. Binding DfR criteria are due to be adopted by the Commission by 1 January 2028.

Recycled at scale

From 1 January 2035, an additional recyclability factor: whether a packaging category is actually recycled at scale across the EU, using a threshold of 55% recycling rate (30% for wood).