From 12 August 2026, every packaging type placed on the EU market must be covered by an EU declaration of conformity to the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR - Regulation (EU) 2025/40).
For packaging engineers and quality managers, this is more than a formal extra document: it becomes the central proof that your packaging design - including "design for recycling" - meets the EU packaging regulation requirements.
This article explains:
- the legal basis of the PPWR declaration of conformity
- the mandatory content according to Article 39 and Annex VIII PPWR
- retention periods (5-10 years) for documents
- a practical, step-by-step approach to setting up a compliant process
Our checklist helps you verify that you meet all prerequisites for the declaration of conformity.
1. What is the PPWR declaration of conformity - and who needs it?
Under the new EU packaging and packaging waste regulation, manufacturers must perform a conformity assessment for each packaging type and then draw up an EU declaration of conformity (DoC).
