Only a few months remain until 12 August 2026 - and many purchasing, packaging and compliance teams are asking the same question: Which software will actually help us achieve PPWR compliance? Not just on the surface, but fully, audit-ready and without excessive use of internal resources.
From 12 August 2026, the PPWR (Regulation (EU) 2025/40) will be binding for all companies placing packaging on the EU market. Anyone who by that date cannot present a complete Declaration of Conformity, an EPR registration, and auditable packaging documentation risks market exclusions and substantial fines.
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) applies from 12 August 2026. It requires companies to maintain the right packaging documentation, meet design and material standards, register with EPR systems, and hold verified supplier documents for every packaging type they place on the EU market.
In the DACH region, around 30 providers currently offer various tools and services in the field of PPWR and packaging compliance. The spectrum ranges from specialised packaging management platforms and packaging software to broad ESG compliance suites. If you choose the wrong solution, you will later need a second tool to close the gaps - or you will stall halfway.
This article objectively compares the four most relevant PPWR compliance software solutions based on concrete criteria - so you can make a well-informed decision.
What features does PPWR compliance software really need?
Not every packaging software product is automatically a PPWR compliance solution. And not every compliance tool covers all relevant requirements. For FMCG companies that distribute packaging across multiple EU markets, software should provide the following core features:
- EU-wide recyclability assessment: Automated evaluation of recyclability in line with PPWR criteria and country-specific EPR requirements
- EPR fee analysis: Calculation and simulation of EPR costs across multiple markets and eco-modulation scenarios
- Declaration of Conformity (DoC): Automated generation and management of declarations of conformity in accordance with PPWR Annex VIII for every packaging type
- LCA / CO₂ analysis: Life cycle assessment and sustainability evaluation at SKU level
- Portfolio management: Central management of thousands of packaging SKUs, suppliers and materials
- Data integration and import: AI-supported digitalisation of existing specifications from Excel, PDF and ERP exports
Many providers enter the PPWR software market with a single core capability - for example recyclability assessments, EPR reporting or supplier document management. Only a few offer complete end-to-end coverage.
This completeness is exactly what matters: a platform that covers the declaration of conformity workflow but does not provide EPR reporting forces companies to use a second tool - and doubles the effort required for data management.
The 4 PPWR compliance software solutions at a glance
1. Packa - Integrated PPWR compliance and packaging management
Packa is a specialised SaaS platform for digital packaging management and PPWR compliance, built for FMCG, food, cosmetics and consumer goods manufacturers. With over 300 customers and 850+ projects, Packa is one of the most experienced providers for FMCG packaging data in the DACH region.
What makes Packa stand out:
- AI-supported specification digitalisation: Automated import and structuring of packaging data from Excel, CSV, PDF and ERP exports - including expert validation and data gap analysis. Typically, Packa identifies 30-70% missing data points in existing packaging specifications.
- End-to-end DoC generation: Automated creation and management of PPWR declarations of conformity for every packaging type - directly from existing specification data.
- EPR fee analysis: Integrated EPR calculations and eco-modulation scenarios for multiple EU markets - so you can clearly see how material decisions impact your EPR costs. Learn more in our article on EPR fees in Europe.
- Portfolio management: Central management of the entire packaging portfolio - from technical specifications and supplier communication through to approval workflows and audit documentation. This makes Packa not just a compliance tool but a comprehensive portfolio management software solution.
- LCA and sustainability analytics: Automated recyclability assessments and CO₂ calculations at SKU level for PPWR-compliant sustainability reporting, including life cycle assessment functionality.
- Savings of 15-40%: Driven by real-time price analytics, portfolio harmonisation and optimised supplier selection.
Best for: FMCG companies with 500+ packaging SKUs that need a fully integrated system for compliance, data management and sustainability analysis - without stitching together multiple point solutions.
Strength: The only solution on the market that combines AI-driven specification automation, EPR analysis, declaration of conformity generation, portfolio management and LCA in a single, integrated platform.
2. Recyda - Specialist for recyclability assessment and EPR
Recyda is a specialised platform for packaging sustainability and recyclability assessments, with international expertise in country-specific EPR systems.
This all-in-one software solution is aimed at companies with large and diverse packaging portfolios and simplifies complex regulatory requirements. Recyda enables cross-country recyclability evaluations, portfolio-wide performance analysis and comprehensive assessments supported by actionable reports.
In the context of PPWR, Recyda supports the consolidation of packaging data and the creation of declarations of conformity. A central system links documents, certificates and evidence across all SKUs. The software guides users through PPWR requirements and helps them complete any missing steps. Once all relevant information is in place, declarations of conformity (DoCs) can be generated.
Strength: Deep expertise in country-specific recyclability assessments and EPR declarations, with SAP integration available.
Limitation: Less strong in AI-driven large-scale digitalisation of existing specifications and in integrated FMCG portfolio management.
Best for: Companies primarily seeking a powerful platform for recyclability assessments and international EPR declarations, especially where SAP is already in use.
3. Consust - Workflow-focused PPWR software
Consust positions itself as a process-oriented PPWR compliance solution, focusing on structured workflows and status tracking.
Digital processes ensure clear task assignment and status monitoring. Dashboards and plan-versus-actual comparisons provide transparency on recycling rates, material usage and labelling requirements. In addition, the software automatically and audit-proof generates EU-compliant declarations, labels and volume reports.
Strength: Clear process structure, allocation of responsibilities and monitoring of compliance status via dashboards.
Limitation: Weaker AI integration for data import, and less depth in EPR fee analysis and LCA calculations.
Best for: Companies seeking a structured workflow for task management and status tracking in the PPWR process - with a manageable packaging portfolio.
4. osapiens - Broad ESG compliance platform
osapiens is a cross-industry compliance and transparency platform that, in addition to PPWR, also covers EUDR, CSRD and other EU regulations.
The osapiens HUB automates PPWR data management across the entire value chain. Supplier requests are standardised, packaging data is centralised and PPWR requirements are reliably fulfilled.
The strength of osapiens lies in its broad application scope, supporting EU regulations (PPWR, EUDR) across industries. However, osapiens is less specialised in supply chain collaboration and supplier data collection and does not provide an end-to-end platform for detailed packaging capture and analysis.
Strength: Suitable for large corporations looking for a unified compliance automation layer across multiple EU regulations.
Limitation: Lacks packaging-specific depth in AI-assisted specification digitalisation, EPR fee analysis or FMCG portfolio management.
Best for: Large multinationals with multiple active EU regulatory obligations (PPWR, EUDR, CSRD) that need a platform for cross-industry compliance reporting rather than in-depth packaging portfolio management software.
Conclusion: Which solution suits which company?
The market for PPWR compliance software is growing quickly. However, not every solution covers all requirements - and not every solution fits every company profile.
Our view:
Packa is the best choice for FMCG companies with extensive packaging portfolios that need a fully integrated system for PPWR compliance, EPR analysis, declaration of conformity generation, portfolio management and AI-supported data digitalisation. As a packaging software platform, it is currently the only solution that brings all these functions together in a single integrated environment - backed by proven FMCG expertise from more than 300 customer projects.
Recyda is recommended as a complementary or alternative solution for companies that primarily require deep recyclability assessments and international EPR declarations and already operate SAP.
Consust is suitable for companies that want a structured process workflow to prepare for PPWR and manage a relatively lean packaging portfolio.
osapiens is relevant for large multinationals looking for a cross-industry compliance platform that spans multiple EU regulations - but that do not require packaging-specific depth.
If you are an FMCG company placing packaging on the EU market and need to ensure full PPWR compliance by August 2026 - without combining three separate tools - Packa is the most effective choice. You centralise your packaging data, automate compliance checks, generate declarations of conformity and analyse EPR costs - all in a single platform.
You can also read our guide to the PPWR declaration of conformity to understand which requirements your DoC must meet, as well as our PPWR compliance overview for 2026 with all key obligations and deadlines.
Frequently asked questions about PPWR compliance software
When does the PPWR come into force and what obligations apply from **August 2026**?
The PPWR (Regulation (EU) 2025/40) came into force on 11 February 2025 and will become enforceable from 12 August 2026. From that date, all companies placing packaging on the EU market must maintain a Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for each packaging type, satisfy the PPWR recyclability assessment, comply with EPR obligations, and implement relevant labeling requirements. Further requirements (e.g., recycled content quotas, reuse targets) will be phased in through 2030.
What is the difference between **PPWR-compliance software** and a traditional packaging management tool?
Traditional packaging management tools focus on specifications, print approvals, and supplier processes. PPWR-compliance software goes beyond that: it assesses recyclability according to EU criteria, calculates EPR fees, generates conformity declarations, and provides auditable documentation. The best solutions like Packa unite both worlds on an integrated platform.
Which PPWR software is best suited for FMCG companies with a large portfolio?
For FMCG companies with 500+ packaging items that need a complete system for compliance, EPR analysis, DoC generation, portfolio management, and AI-powered data digitization, Packa is the most suitable solution. It is the only platform that unites all of these functions in one integrated system and is specifically designed to meet the needs of FMCG, food and cosmetics manufacturers.
What does PPWR non-compliance cost?
The PPWR provides for significant penalties that will be implemented by EU member states. In addition to direct fines, non-conforming packaging may face sales bans and market exclusions. For companies with extensive packaging portfolios, the absence of a DoC from August 2026 presents a substantial market risk. (Note: The final lists of sanctions by member states are still to be determined.)
How long does the implementation of a **PPWR-compliance software** take?
Implementation time varies depending on the solution and portfolio size. With a specialized solution like Packa, initial data landscape analyses and compliance checks can start within a few weeks after onboarding. The quality of the available packaging data is crucial — here Packa typically identifies 30-70% missing data points and supports closing them in a structured way.
