This time, we'll be highlighting some of the most popular articles from our "Market Report," specifically focusing on EU regulatory trends.
On August 12, 2026, the EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) came into effect. It applies equally not only to companies within the EU but also to Japanese companies that export products to the EU. Furthermore, in the same month, a new EU implementing regulation (EU 2026/1425) came into effect, establishing rules for calculating and verifying the recycled material content in beverage bottles, further tightening the regulatory environment for recycled plastics in the EU market.
With all businesses involved in the supply chain now required to take action, we have compiled a digest of the essential points you should keep in mind.
EU | PPWR implementation + stricter rules on recycled material content: Japanese companies are not immune.
① The PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations) will come into effect on August 12th.
This applies to all types of packaging, including food and beverage containers, cardboard boxes, plastic pallets, and stretch film. Since it also applies to Japanese companies exporting from outside the EU, businesses involved in manufacturing, importing, and distribution need to take immediate action.
Here are the three things that should be addressed as a top priority.
Responding to investigations into the presence of hazardous substances (heavy metals, PFAS, etc.), preparation and retention of technical documents and EU declarations of conformity, and application of business information and identification information to packaging and products.
Towards 2030, regulations regarding the percentage of recycled materials and labeling requirements are planned to be gradually tightened.
② Rules for recycled materials in beverage bottles have been revised, effectively eliminating non-EU rPET.
A new EU implementing regulation (EU 2026/1425) restricts the origin of recycled plastics that can be counted towards achieving the recycled material use target for beverage bottles.
July 2026 - November 2027: Only PCR recycled materials collected and processed within the EU/EEA region are included. Asian-made rPET is excluded from the calculation of target values.
From November 2027 onwards: Gradually expand to include materials from OECD member countries.
As a result, European manufacturers who had been dependent on inexpensive Asian-made rPET are shifting en masse to sourcing within the EU, which is expected to lead to a tight supply-demand situation and price increases for EU-made rPET.
The above is a digest of some of the articles.
If you are interested in the contents, please apply for the market report using the link below. We send out market reports by email at the beginning of each month.
