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PPWR dates, debunked: what applies in 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2030
By Karim El Achaq, founder of EUReady · Last updated: 6 July 2026
- On 12 August 2026 the PPWR brings EPR registration duties, authorised representatives, the packaging Declaration of Conformity and the PFAS food-contact ban. That is it.
- The 50% empty-space limit is 1 January 2030, not 2026. This is the single most repeated error in packaging content online.
- Harmonized material labels: 12 August 2028. Minimum recycled content: 1 January 2029. Recyclability grades: 1 January 2030.
Why is there so much confusion about PPWR dates?
Because the regulation packs a dozen obligations with different start dates into one text, and most articles compress them into a single scary 2026 headline. The result: sellers redesigning boxes four years early while missing the registration duty that actually bites this August. Here is the full timeline with exact dates, and what each item means for an online store.
The real PPWR timeline for online sellers
| Applies from | Obligation | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| 12 August 2026 | EPR registration in every member state where packaging is placed; authorised representative for non-EU distance sellers | Register everywhere you ship. Amazon verifies from this date. The urgent one. |
| 12 August 2026 | Declaration of Conformity + technical documentation per packaging type | Paperwork proving your packaging meets the applicable requirements. |
| 12 August 2026 | PFAS ban in food-contact packaging | Only relevant if you sell food or food-contact goods. |
| 12 February 2027 | Packaging identifiability for EPR schemes (QR or other marking, Art. 12) + reuse obligations for HORECA | Marking so schemes can attribute packaging to producers. Not a 2026 problem. |
| 12 August 2028 | Harmonized material-composition labels on all packaging | The first date that forces most sellers to reprint packaging. |
| 1 January 2029 | Minimum recycled content in plastic packaging | A sourcing question for your packaging supplier, not for you directly. |
| ~February 2029 | Digital labelling / QR provisions | Implementation detail of the labelling regime. |
| 1 January 2030 | Recyclability performance grades (A to C) mandatory | Packaging below grade C cannot be placed on the market. |
| 1 January 2030 | Maximum 50% empty-space ratio for grouped, transport and e-commerce packaging | The famous one. You have until 2030, whatever LinkedIn says. |
The three myths we see most often
- "From August 2026 your boxes can only be 50% empty." False. The empty-space ratio (Article 24) applies from 1 January 2030. What applies in 2026 is registration and documentation, not box geometry.
- "The PPWR forces you to change your packaging labels in 2026." False. Harmonized labelling starts 12 August 2028, with EPR identifiability marking from February 2027. In 2026, nothing about your artwork changes.
- "Small sellers are exempt." Mostly false. There is no general small-seller exemption from EPR registration. Fees scale with volume, so registering is cheap for small sellers, but skipping it is what triggers delisting.
So what should you actually do in 2026?
Register for packaging EPR in the countries you ship to, appoint authorised representatives where required, prepare the Declaration of Conformity, and set reminders for the 2027 and 2028 labelling milestones. The step-by-step is in our PPWR guide for Shopify sellers, and every date on this page also lives in our EU compliance deadlines calendar, which we keep updated.
Change log
- 5 July 2026: page published with the dates as set in Regulation (EU) 2025/40. Updated if implementing acts shift any milestone.
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Frequently asked questions
When does the 50% empty-space rule really apply?
From 1 January 2030, for grouped, transport and e-commerce packaging (Article 24 PPWR). It does not apply in August 2026.
What is the only PPWR deadline that matters for online sellers in 2026?
12 August 2026: EPR registration in every member state where you place packaging, authorised representatives for non-EU distance sellers, the packaging Declaration of Conformity, and the PFAS ban for food-contact packaging.
When do I have to change my packaging labels?
Harmonized material-composition labels apply from 12 August 2028. EPR identifiability marking (QR or equivalent) applies from 12 February 2027. Nothing about your artwork is required to change in 2026.
Where can I check these dates myself?
In Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on EUR-Lex (see the sources below). Every date in this table comes from the regulation text or the Commission's official summary.
Official sources
This guide is general information for online sellers, based on publicly available EU legislation. It is not legal advice. Regulations evolve and national rules differ: for decisions that matter to your business, confirm with a qualified professional or the official sources linked above.