The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)

The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) begins to apply from 12 August 2026, introducing new requirements for businesses placing packaging on the EU market. While many of the Regulation’s obligations will be phased in over the coming years, some requirements apply from August 2026, making it important for businesses to understand their responsibilities and start preparing now.

At WBS, we’re closely monitoring the development of the Regulation. As a member of the Book Industry Communication (BIC) Group, we actively participate in a number of its working groups, where PPWR continues to be a key topic of discussion across the publishing sector. We encourage our customers to engage with their publishers and other supply chain partners as early as possible to understand any specific packaging requirements and avoid leaving preparations until the last minute.

To support our customers, we’ve produced a WBS Customer Guide to PPWR, which provides an overview of the Regulation, explains the key milestones and highlights some of the practical steps businesses should be considering.

We hope you find the guide a useful resource. If you have any questions, would like to discuss how the PPWR may affect your business, or have any feedback on the guide, please get in touch with our Sustainability team at [email protected].