From 12 August 2026, every type of packaging placed on the EU market must have a valid PPWR Declaration of Conformity (DoC). Without this declaration, companies risk fines, barriers to market entry, and supply chain disruptions.
This guide gives you a practical step-by-step tutorial on how to create a PPWR Declaration of Conformity for your packaging - including:
- Overview of PPWR 2026 and the key PPWR requirements
- How it differs from the Packaging Act and the former Packaging Directive
- A list of the mandatory data and evidence you need for every DoC
- The structure of a Declaration of Conformity sample (template layout)
- Typical mistakes and troubleshooting tips from real-world projects
- How to scale the entire process with digital packaging management and the Packa software
Note: This article is for guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always review specific cases with your legal department or external specialist lawyers.
Why the PPWR Declaration of Conformity will be business-critical from 2026
The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) gradually replaces the previous Packaging Directive and reshapes packaging law in Europe. As an EU regulation, the PPWR applies directly in all member states. Unlike the previous Packaging Directive, the PPWR as an EU regulation is directly binding and leaves member states very little discretion in its implementation.
Key milestones:
- The PPWR entered into force on 11 February 2025
- From 12 August 2026, packaging without a valid PPWR Declaration of Conformity may no longer be placed on the EU market
- You need a separate declaration for every distinct type of packaging (including relevant variants).
The national Packaging Act remains relevant, among other things, for EPR obligations and registrations. In Germany, violations of the Packaging Act can be penalised with fines of up to €200,000 per offence. The PPWR adds to the existing requirements - it does not replace them.
Terminology check: Packaging Act, Packaging Directive, PPWR 2026
A quick overview of the three core legal frameworks makes it easier to get started:
