Regulation (EU) 2025/40
Regulation (EU) 2025/40 establishes a comprehensive framework for packaging sustainability across its entire life cycle, from design and production to disposal. It aims to reduce environmental impacts and promote circularity by mandating recyclable or reusable packaging, setting minimum recycled content requirements for plastic packaging, and banning excessive or unnecessary packaging.
The regulation introduces recyclability performance grades to drive innovation and transparency, enforces Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes, and harmonizes national rules to ensure consistency across Member States. It strengthens chemical safety standards by restricting hazardous substances such as PFAS and heavy metals, and requires clear labelling to support proper sorting and recycling.
By aligning with the European Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan, the regulation seeks to reduce packaging waste generation, improve material recovery, and foster sustainable product design. These measures aim to close resource loops, enhance recycling markets, and accelerate the EU’s transition toward a climate-neutral and resource-efficient economy.
Relevance to bio-waste and/or circular bioeconomy:
The regulation reduces contamination in biowaste streams by mandating recyclable or reusable packaging and clear labelling. This ensures cleaner organic waste processing, improves compost quality, and supports anaerobic digestion. By minimizing packaging waste and promoting resource efficiency, it strengthens circular economy principles and contributes to sustainable material cycles.
EU
Full title: Regulation (EU) 2025/40 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 December 2024 on packaging and packaging waste, amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 and Directive (EU) 2019/904, and repealing Directive 94/62/EC
Publication date: 2025
Instrument type: Regulation
Binding for EU MS: Yes
Keywords: packaging waste, sustainability, recyclability, reuse systems, extended producer responsibility, eco-design, material recovery, waste prevention, circular economy, labelling requirements