On 3 August 2026, the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Trade published an announcement reminding exporters of the provisions of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) that will become applicable on 12 August 2026.
Adopted under the European Union’s Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan, Regulation (EU) 2025/40 (PPWR) establishes a comprehensive legal framework covering the entire lifecycle of packaging—from design and production to reuse, recycling, and waste management. The Regulation aims to improve packaging sustainability, reduce packaging waste, and harmonise packaging requirements across the European Union.
The general provisions of the Regulation will start applying on 12 August 2026, creating new compliance obligations for manufacturers, importers, brand owners, exporters, and other economic operators placing packaged products on the EU market.
What Does PPWR Cover?
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation introduces a wide range of requirements relating to:
- Sustainable packaging design
- Packaging recyclability criteria
- Reduction of unnecessary packaging
- Reusable packaging systems
- Recycled content requirements
- Labelling and information obligations
- Packaging waste prevention measures
Businesses exporting packaged products to the European Union should assess the impact of these requirements and ensure that their packaging complies with the new regulatory framework.
Ministry Recommends Reviewing Official Guidance Documents
The Ministry of Trade encouraged exporters to review the official implementation documents published by the European Commission before the Regulation becomes applicable.
The recommended documents include:
- The PPWR Guidance published by the European Commission
- The updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document
- A Turkish-language FAQ prepared by the Ministry of Trade
According to the Ministry, the Turkish FAQ has been developed based on the European Commission’s official guidance and interpretations currently available and may be updated as additional guidance documents and implementation measures are published.
Why Is This Important for Exporters?
As PPWR begins to apply, companies exporting packaged products to the European Union will need to assess not only product compliance but also packaging compliance.
Businesses operating in sectors such as cosmetics, food, chemicals, consumer products, and other packaged goods should review:
- Existing packaging designs
- Packaging materials
- Labelling practices
- Sustainability and recyclability requirements
to ensure compliance with the new PPWR obligations and maintain uninterrupted access to the EU market.