Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste (PPWD) was the foundational EU packaging law from 1994 until its repeal by the PPWR (Regulation 2025/40) in February 2025. While the PPWD has been repealed, understanding its requirements remains important for companies transitioning to PPWR compliance and for historical compliance assessments.
Key Requirements of the PPWD
The PPWD established essential requirements for packaging including: minimisation of packaging weight and volume; design for reuse, recovery, and recycling; restrictions on hazardous substances; and labelling requirements. It set recycling and recovery targets that were progressively increased through amendments.
Recycling Targets Under the PPWD
| Material | 2025 Recycling Target |
|---|---|
| Plastic | 50% |
| Wood | 25% |
| Ferrous metals | 70% |
| Aluminium | 50% |
| Glass | 70% |
| Paper and cardboard | 75% |
| All packaging | 65% |
Transition to PPWR
The PPWR replaces the PPWD with a directly applicable regulation, eliminating the need for member state transposition and harmonising packaging rules across the EU. Companies that were compliant with the PPWD must review their packaging against the new PPWR requirements, particularly the recycled content thresholds, minimisation rules, and reusability targets that were not present in the old directive.