Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive

The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive is the main piece of legislation governing packaging and packaging waste in Europe. The twin objectives of the Directive are to continuously improve the environmental performance of packaging and to facilitate the correct functioning of the EU Internal Market, thereby protecting the free circulation of packaged goods in all member states. Avoiding obstacles to trade and distortions of competition are crucial to the packaging supply chain members of EUROPEN that distribute goods at national, European and global level . ‌

The Directive sets out Recovery and Recycling targets and deadlines for EU Member States and obliges them to address the recovery and recycling of used packaging. It also contains The Essential Requirements for packaging that aim to reduce packaging waste and to put forth design requirements that cater to a wide range of packaging materials and packaged goods. Packaging that meets these requirements is guaranteed free circulation in the European Economic Area ‌.

Directive 2018/852 of the European Parliament and of the Council amended the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive 94/62/EC to include increased packaging recycling targets and better prevention of generation of packaging waste. Additionally, it called for the introduction of reusable packaging producer schemes for all packaging by 2024. The recycling targets for packaging waste was set at a minimum of 60% by 2025 and 70% by 2030 . ‌