PPWR regulation drives packaging and recycling shifts in Europe

The implementation of the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is creating significant operational and financial pressures for retailers and suppliers across Central Europe. Companies are facing complex negotiations regarding the distribution of costs related to new packaging development, testing, and production line adjustments.

In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, new rules regarding environmental claims and greenwashing are approaching. While Slovakia is preparing for compliance by September 2026, the Czech legislative process is still ongoing. This discrepancy forces companies using unified packaging for both markets to coordinate closely to avoid non-compliant stock.

In Poland, debates are intensifying over the proposed modification of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system. Critics argue that the government's UC100 project seeks to centralize the system through the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management, potentially replacing existing recycling organizations with a centralized model that may not align with EU requirements or proven international successes.