The PPWR replaced the old packaging directive 94/62/EC. As a regulation rather than a directive, it applies directly in every member state without national transposition, so the rule is the same in whichever member state your buyer sits.
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 11 February 2025 | The regulation entered into force |
| 12 August 2026 | Most of its rules started to apply (Article 71) |
| 1 January 2030 | At least 40% of transport packaging must be reusable (Article 29(1)) |
| 1 January 2040 | The aim for the same packaging rises to at least 70% |
Article 29 is addressed to the economic operator that uses the packaging to transport products within the EU, and an importer is by definition established in the EU. An exporter in Turkey therefore does not report the rate itself, but the EU buyer will ask it for pallets, crates and boxes that count towards the target. Writing the packaging type, material and the return route for empties into the contract at the outset keeps the shipment from changing later.
The count covers pallets, foldable plastic boxes, crates, trays, IBCs, drums and the stretch film that wraps a pallet. Cardboard boxes, dangerous-goods packaging, packaging custom-made for large machinery and flexible packaging in direct contact with food are outside the target (Article 29(4)). For an exporter shipping in cartons, what counts is mostly the pallet and the film.
Insulated multi-trip transport containers such as the GEBHARDT Isotec TBX go out on trip after trip in the same shell, so in this calculation they sit on the reusable side. The rate is counted when the container circulates within a re-use system tracked through delivery, return and cleaning records.
