Is it worth implementing PPWR now? The benefits of staying ahead of the competition

Is it worth implementing PPWR now, given that some of the key requirements will not come into force until later years? Yes — provided that the company treats the PPWR not as a one-off label change, but as a strategic project: cost reduction, data standardisation, an ESG advantage, a stronger position in tenders and greater resilience to future regulations. The PPWR, or Regulation (EU) 2025/40, came into force on 11 February 2025 and is generally due to apply from 12 August 2026; The European Commission states that the regulation covers all packaging and packaging waste, regardless of material or origin.

Companies that get a head start will not only avoid having to rush. They will gain time for testing, negotiating with suppliers, reducing packaging weight, preparing documentation, updating their BDO and EPR, and smoothly implementing new processes in production, logistics and marketing. In practice, the competitive advantage of PPWR may lie in the fact that a company will be ready by the time its competitors are only just beginning to calculate the costs of the changes.

PPWR: an obligation or a strategy?

Many companies view the PPWR as just another environmental regulation. This is an understandable, but incomplete, approach. The PPWR affects packaging design, recyclability, recycled content, the reduction of void space, labelling, reuse schemes, technical documentation and producer responsibility. The European Commission emphasises that one of the pillars of the new regulations is to ensure that all packaging is recyclable by 2030.

This means that the PPWR will affect far more than just the environmental protection department. In practice, it will change the way procurement, production, R&D, logistics, marketing, sales, exports, finance and compliance operate.

A company that implements PPWR earlier is not simply buying regulatory compliance. It is buying time, data, supply stability and greater control over packaging costs.

The key difference is that delayed implementation is usually reactive: the company makes the necessary changes, often in a hurry. Early implementation allows for a selective approach: first analysing the risks, then selecting the packaging with the highest volume, and only then investing in redesign, new materials or a change of suppliers.

Why will waiting until the last minute work out more expensive?

The greatest cost of PPWR does not always stem from the regulation itself. It often stems from delays. The later a company starts, the less time it has for testing, negotiations and selecting alternatives. This increases the risk of costly purchases, unsuitable materials, hasty redesigns and problems on the packaging line.

The cost of a delay may include:

– higher prices for new materials when demand rises sharply,
– limited availability of certified suppliers,
– costly tests carried out under time pressure,
– the need to replace stock of packaging,
– sales restrictions for B2B customers or on marketplaces,
– the risk of inconsistencies between BDO, EPR and material data,
– less scope for negotiating with suppliers,
– a delay in the implementation of ESG communication.

Reuters points out that regulations on hard-to-recycle plastics are already forcing large companies to redesign their packaging, experiment with alternatives and invest in recycling technologies, although alternative solutions can be costly, less durable or dependent on inadequate infrastructure.

The conclusion is simple: the more companies start looking for the same materials, laboratories, consultants and suppliers at the same time, the less freedom of choice there will be.

PPWR’s competitive advantage – what is it?

PPWR’s competitive advantage does not necessarily mean that the company immediately positions itself as a „green leader”. It often comes down to something more practical: the company responds more quickly to customer requirements, passes audits more successfully, has packaging data to hand and can demonstrate compliance whilst its competitors are still gathering the necessary documentation.

In B2B relationships, it is increasingly not just the price of the product that matters, but also the quality of environmental data. A customer might ask:

– is the packaging recyclable,
– what is its material composition,
– does it contain recycled material,
– does it have technical documentation,
– whether it meets the EPR requirements in the country in question,
– Does the company have a plan to reduce the weight of its packaging,
– whether the environmental declarations have been verified.

A company that is prepared for PPWR can respond quickly and effectively. A company that is not prepared will pass the questions back and forth between the purchasing, marketing, warehouse and supplier departments.

In practice, PPWR’s advantage lies in its ability to demonstrate compliance more quickly than its competitors.

PPWR and ESG – why does earlier implementation strengthen reporting?

ESG requires data, and PPWR mandates data on packaging. It’s a natural fit. If a company carries out a packaging audit, organising weights, materials, suppliers, recyclability and recycled content, it gains a foundation not only for compliance but also for ESG communication.

The following will be particularly important in ESG reporting and strategy:

– reduction in packaging weight,
– reducing the proportion of materials that are difficult to recycle,
– an increase in the proportion of recycled material,
– the introduction of reusable packaging,
– minimising empty space in parcels,
– improvements to the data on BDO and EPR,
– implementation of a procedure for approving new packaging,
– working with suppliers in the area of the circular economy.

However, one must be wary of greenwashing. Early adoption of the PPWR provides a strong case, but it should not lead to empty claims such as „eco”, „green” or „environmentally friendly” without supporting data. The most effective ESG communication is that which can be backed up by figures: reduced packaging weight, fewer components, improved recyclability, documented use of recycled material, and an established reuse system.

Green marketing in the wake of the PPWR: fewer slogans, more evidence

The PPWR will also change marketing communications. Packaging will no longer be able to serve merely as a medium for an appealing environmental claim. It will have to be consistent with the documentation, the composition of materials and the actual sorting process.

A company that implements PPWR earlier may gain a stronger marketing position, but only if it bases its communication on facts. Instead of general slogans, it is worth communicating:

– „packaging designed for recycling”, where an assessment of recyclability has been carried out,
– „reduced packaging weight”, if the extent of the reduction can be demonstrated,
– „contains recycled material” if the proportion and source of PCR are known,
– „reusable packaging”, where a return and reuse scheme is in place,
– „less empty space in the parcel”, if the company has changed its packaging process.

Green marketing under the PPWR will be effective if the claims are backed up by documentation. Early implementation gives the company time to gather this evidence.

A company’s green transition and the cost of capital

A company’s green transition is often seen as a cost. In practice, it can also be a way of reducing operational and financial risk. Banks, investors, major contractors and retail chains are increasingly assessing companies in terms of environmental compliance, emissions, waste management and regulatory resilience.

PPWR may influence the assessment of a company in several areas:

– security of supply,
– the risk of packaging costs,
– the risk of penalties and sales restrictions,
– the quality of ESG data,
– the ability to meet the requirements of corporate clients,
– readiness to sell in EU markets,
– compliance with the procurement policies of major customers.

Early implementation of the PPWR can therefore reduce uncertainty. The company knows which packaging poses a risk, how much the change will cost, what data it holds, and what its plan for achieving compliance looks like.

Benefit No. 1: lower implementation costs thanks to a phased approach

One of the biggest benefits of taking early action is the ability to implement changes in stages. A company does not have to change everything at once. It can start with an audit, then select the packaging with the highest volume, and subsequently move on to suppliers and testing.

Example path:

Audit of current packaging.
Classification into low, medium and high risk.
Updating supplier documentation.
Weight reduction where there is no need to change the material.
Redesign of multi-material and plastic packaging.
Testing of packaging lines.
Update to labelling and BDO/EPR.
Results-based ESG communication.

This approach minimises the cost of wrong decisions. The company does not replace all packaging simply because „PPWR is coming in”. It replaces only those items that genuinely require action.

A good place to start is PPWR audit, which enables packaging to be assessed in terms of its design, composition, recyclability, and environmental and legal compliance. EKOPRO describes the PPWR audit as a comprehensive assessment of a company’s readiness to meet the new requirements.

Benefit No. 2: a stronger position with suppliers

Implementing the PPWR requires data from suppliers. The company needs to know what the packaging is made of, what proportion of recycled material it contains, what the mass of the components is, whether the material is recyclable, and whether the supplier can provide documentation to that effect.

Companies that get a head start will have greater bargaining power. They can:

– compare several suppliers,
– negotiate the terms calmly,
– to test alternative materials,
– to require documentation in new contracts,
– avoid suppliers who do not provide any information,
– plan packaging stocks without the risk of downtime.

Companies that are late to the market will often buy whatever is available, rather than whatever is best.

Benefit No. 3: greater resilience to the demands of B2B customers

Large customers may start to require PPWR data earlier than the formal deadlines suggest. Retail chains, corporations, marketplaces and export customers often implement environmental requirements in advance to mitigate their own risks.

This means that a company prepared for the PPWR may win not because it offers the lowest price, but because it has all the necessary information:

– package insert,
– weight and material,
– recyclability,
– proportion of recycled material,
– signage,
– technical documentation,
– BDO/EPR compliance,
– a plan to reduce packaging.

In its guidance for exporters to the EU, the UK government states that companies selling packaged goods to the EU market should review the PPWR requirements before 12 August 2026, as non-compliance may result in goods being rejected at the EU border.

For Polish exporting companies, the conclusion is clear: the PPWR is not just an internal EU matter, but a condition for market access for anyone selling packaged products within the EU.

Benefit No. 4: less risk when selling abroad

The PPWR harmonises many requirements, but does not automatically remove local EPR, registration and reporting obligations. A company selling to Germany, France, the Czech Republic, Austria or Italy must still analyse the national producer responsibility schemes.

Implementing the PPWR at an earlier stage helps to organise the data that is also required for the EPR:

– weight of packaging,
– material,
– sales market,
– number of packs,
– type of packaging,
– supplier,
– signage,
– data for reporting purposes.

Companies operating outside Poland should combine their PPWR with compliance with packaging obligations in EU markets. When selling to Germany, it is particularly important that LUCID audit, as registration and reporting obligations operate independently of the EU’s PPWR framework.

Benefit No. 5: greater control over packaging costs

Implementing PPWR can be costly, but when carried out properly, it often reveals opportunities for savings. During an audit, companies discover that they are using cardboard that is too thick, excessive filler material, unnecessary plastic film, too many different sizes, or packaging that is unsuitable for the product.

Earlier implementation enables:

– reduce the weight of packaging,
– limit the number of formats,
– simplify the material structure,
– reduce the empty space,
– to tailor the packaging more closely to the product,
– reduce production waste,
– to reduce the risk of higher EPR charges,
– organise your shopping.

This is important because PPWR should not be treated as a mere regulatory cost. It can become a tool for material optimisation. In this regard, the following is helpful: GOZ package and circular economy projects. EKOPRO states that it supports companies from assessing potential, through designing solutions, right through to the implementation of circular economy projects.

Benefit No. 6: less chaos when making changes to production

Changing the packaging at a manufacturing company involves more than just purchasing new materials. It is necessary to check whether the new packaging works on the packing line, whether it reduces productivity, whether it increases production waste, and whether it affects leak-tightness, durability, labelling, palletising and customer complaints.

Early implementation allows time for:

– testing of packaging lines,
– pilot schemes with selected clients,
– exploring alternative materials,
– modification of packaging parameters,
– updating production instructions,
– training for operators,
– handling complaints following the change.

A company that gets off to a late start often doesn’t have time for testing. In that case, it runs the risk that the packaging may be compliant „on paper” but problematic in production.

Benefit No. 7: genuine credibility in ESG

It is easy to build an eco-friendly image with a slogan, but difficult to defend it without data. PPWR gives companies the opportunity to move from mere declarations to measurable results.

The key ESG arguments following the implementation of the PPWR are:

– „We have reduced the weight of the packaging by X%”,
– „We have replaced the multi-material packaging with a simpler design”,
– „We have introduced a system for reusing transport packaging”,
– „We have compiled comprehensive data on the weights of packaging for EU markets”,
– „We have drawn up a procedure for approving new packaging”,
– „We have carried out an audit of the recyclability of our packaging portfolio.”.

Messages like these are more powerful than the general slogan „we care about the environment”. They are specific, verifiable and useful in discussions with B2B clients.

Is it always worth implementing the PPWR early?

Not every company needs to invest straight away in a complete overhaul of its packaging, new machinery and IT systems. Early implementation does not mean spending money haphazardly. It means identifying risks at an early stage and drawing up a plan.

It is most worthwhile to start earlier if the company:

– uses many different types of packaging,
– uses plastics, laminates or multi-material packaging,
– sells products abroad,
– works in e-commerce,
– has a large volume of transport packaging,
– serves retail chains or corporate clients,
– communicates environmental claims,
– has disorganised BDO/EPR data,
– is planning new products or a brand redesign.

In such cases, an audit carried out at an early stage is less costly than having to rectify non-compliant packaging at a later stage.

How can you implement PPWR without blowing the budget?

The best approach is a phased transition. A company should start with data and risks, not by purchasing „eco-packaging”.

1. Make a map of the packaging

First of all, you need to know what kind of packaging the company uses, what it is made of, how much it weighs, who supplies it and which markets it is destined for.

2. Identify high-risk packaging

The priority is on multi-material, plastic, export, oversized, hard-to-recycle and high-volume packaging.

3. Collect documents from suppliers

Suppliers should provide specifications, weights, material composition, information on recycled content, recyclability and substances of concern.

4. Work out the cost of the current packaging

It is important to take into account not only the purchase price, but also weight, transport, waste, charges, complaints, storage and the risk of non-conformity.

5. Test the changes on a small scale

It is worth starting by running a pilot scheme for a single product, a single product line, a single customer or a single sales channel.

6. Update your procedures

Every new packaging design should undergo assessment by PPWR, BDO/EPR, marketing, quality control and production.

7. Only then should you communicate on ESG

Environmental communication should be based on results, not intentions.

Strategic example: a company that gets a head start

The cosmetics manufacturer sells its products in Poland, Germany and the Czech Republic. It uses plastic bottles, pumps, labels, individual cartons and bulk packaging. If the company were to wait until the requirements came into full force, it would have to change its packaging, labels, documentation and EPR data all at once.

In the early-implementation scenario, the company operates differently:

– in 2026, it carries out an audit of the PPWR,
– identifies 20% packages generating 80% of risk,
– discusses recycled materials and documentation with suppliers,
– is testing new labels and lighter packaging,
– updates data for BDO and LUCID,
– develops ESG communications based on actual reductions in material use,
– implements a procedure for approving new packaging.

The result? The company doesn’t have to change everything at once. It builds compliance gradually and can use it in discussions with customers and business partners.

Which departments should be involved in the early stages of implementation?

The PPWR should not be a project run by a single department. Early implementation only makes sense if the company brings together environmental, technical and business expertise.

The following should take part in the project:

– the board, because it sets the priorities and the budget,
– procurement, as they negotiate with suppliers and source materials,
– production, because he knows the line’s limitations,
– R&D, as it is responsible for the packaging design,
– quality, as it assesses the safety of the product,
– logistics, as it analyses transport and bulk packaging,
– marketing, as it is responsible for labelling and communications,
– sales, because he knows what customers want,
– compliance, as it monitors regulations,
– finance, because they’re calculating the cost of the transition.

If these departments operate separately, the company may formally have a „green project”, but one that has not been implemented in practice.

The most common mistakes made by companies that defer their PPWR payments

The first mistake is the assumption that „we have until 2030”. Some of the requirements come into force earlier, and preparing packaging involves testing, documentation and suppliers.

The second mistake is to treat PPWR as merely a labelling project. Labelling is merely the visible part of a wider change.

The third mistake is waiting for ready-made solutions from suppliers. A supplier can help, but the company must know what it requires and what data is needed.

The fourth mistake is to ignore BDO and EPR. The same packaging data will be required for various reporting systems.

The fifth mistake is testing packaging too late. Legal compliance is not enough if the packaging does not work on the production line or leads to an increase in complaints.

The sixth mistake is communicating on ESG without evidence. Following the PPWR, green marketing without data will be risky.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Is it worth implementing PPWR right now?

Yes, because early implementation gives the company time to carry out audits, conduct tests, negotiate with suppliers, reduce packaging weight, organise its documentation and prepare its ESG communications. The PPWR came into force on 11 February 2025 and is generally to be applied from 12 August 2026.

Can PPWR provide a competitive advantage?

Yes. A company that prepares its data, documentation and packaging in advance can respond more quickly to the requirements of B2B customers, retail chains, marketplaces and overseas partners. The advantage lies in being ready to demonstrate compliance.

Could the implementation of PPWR reduce costs?

Yes, provided the company uses the audit to reduce the weight of packaging, limit the number of formats, simplify materials, minimise empty space and organise data. The savings do not stem from the regulation itself, but from better packaging management.

Is PPWR important for ESG?

Yes. PPWR provides the specific data required for ESG: packaging weights, materials, recyclability, the proportion of recycled content, reuse and waste reduction. This enables the company to communicate tangible results rather than general statements.

Is it enough simply to wait for the final implementing acts?

It’s not worth waiting passively. Some of the details will be finalised, but the basic direction is clear: recyclability, reduction of unnecessary packaging, recycled content, labelling, reuse and documentation. In the meantime, you can carry out an audit, collect data and identify high-risk packaging.

How can you start implementing PPWR without incurring significant costs?

It is best to start with a packaging audit and a risk map. There is no need to replace all packaging straight away. It is worth first checking the materials, weights, suppliers, documentation, BDO/EPR and potential for cost reduction.

Stay ahead of the competition and embrace transformation

PPWR can be seen as a task that needs to be ticked off. Alternatively, it can be seen as an opportunity to get packaging, costs, data, suppliers and ESG communications in order. Companies that start early will gain time for testing, a stronger negotiating position and more compelling arguments in discussions with clients.

Stay one step ahead of the competition and transform your business with Eko-Pro. Find out more PPWR audit, GOZ package and comprehensive environmental consultancy. See also the company’s past projects and recommendations or go to the tab Contact Eko-Pro, to discuss the direction of the green transition within their organisation.