EU PPWR: How We Are Preparing Industrial Product Packaging for European Customers

The European Union is introducing new requirements for packaging through the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, commonly known as the PPWR.

Its official reference is Regulation (EU) 2025/40. The Regulation entered into force on 11 February 2025 and will generally apply from 12 August 2026. However, not every detailed requirement takes effect on the same date. Requirements concerning recyclability, labelling, recycled content, packaging minimisation and reuse will be introduced progressively.

For European companies purchasing linear actuators, lifting columns and other industrial components, PPWR is not only a packaging-material issue.

It may also affect:

As an industrial product supplier, we are following these developments and preparing to support customers with clearer and more traceable packaging information.

PPWR Covers More Than the Outer Carton

Industrial packaging normally consists of several different components.

For a linear actuator or lifting column shipment, these may include:

Under the PPWR, packaging should be considered as a complete system rather than only the visible outer box.

This means that European importers may need more detailed information about the materials, weight and construction of every packaging component used in a shipment.

What European Buyers May Need from Their Suppliers

The exact requirements will depend on the product, packaging type, destination country, customer policy and role of each company in the supply chain.

European customers may therefore ask suppliers to provide information such as:

Providing this information requires cooperation not only from the product manufacturer but also from carton, foam, plastic bag, pallet and other packaging suppliers.

There Is No Universal “PPWR-Compliant Box”

A carton cannot be confirmed as PPWR-compliant simply because it is made from brown paper or recycled-looking material.

Paper cushioning, moulded pulp and honeycomb cardboard may be useful packaging options, but material appearance alone is not enough to determine compliance.

A packaging solution must also be evaluated according to:

For industrial products, packaging must achieve two objectives at the same time:

  1. Reduce unnecessary material and packaging volume.
  2. Protect the product during handling, storage and international transportation.

Using less material is not an improvement if it causes bent components, damaged cables, scratched profiles or product failures during transportation.

Our Packaging Preparation Approach

To better support European customers, industrial suppliers should gradually establish a more structured packaging-management process.

Our preparation direction includes the following areas.

1. Identifying Packaging Components

Packaging should be reviewed component by component rather than only by carton model.

This makes it possible to understand which materials are being used and where packaging may be simplified.

2. Collecting Material and Weight Data

Material types and approximate weights should be recorded for cartons, inserts, bags, foam, labels, tape, pallets and wrapping materials.

Where required, supporting information can also be requested from packaging suppliers.

3. Reviewing Packaging Size

Oversized cartons create unnecessary empty space, increase material consumption and may increase transportation costs.

Where product protection allows, packaging dimensions can be reviewed to provide a closer fit to the product.

4. Reducing Difficult-to-Separate Materials

Packaging that combines several materials permanently can be more difficult to sort and recycle.

Where technically practical, packaging should use materials that customers can identify and separate more easily after unpacking.

5. Maintaining Product Protection

Any packaging change must still meet the practical requirements of the product.

For heavy linear actuators and lifting columns, this may include protection against:

Packaging optimisation should therefore be validated before it is introduced into bulk shipments.

Cooperation with Customer-Specific Packaging Requirements

Different customers may have different packaging manuals, recycling policies and documentation requirements.

We recommend that European buyers provide their packaging requirements at an early stage of a project, particularly when they have requirements concerning:

Once these requirements are confirmed, the packaging configuration can be reviewed before mass production.

Written approval is particularly important for customised products, OEM projects and high-volume orders.

Packaging Information Available on Request

Depending on the product and packaging configuration, we can work with customers to prepare or collect relevant information, such as:

The scope and availability of documents should be confirmed for each project because packaging materials and supplier documentation may differ between product models and order quantities.

PPWR Is Not a Single Certificate

PPWR compliance should not be treated as purchasing one general certificate.

The Regulation creates a broader framework covering packaging design, substances, recyclability, recycled content, labelling, documentation and the responsibilities of different economic operators. The applicable obligations depend on the packaging and on how the product is placed on the EU market.

A material test report or supplier declaration may support compliance, but it does not automatically prove that the complete packaging system meets every applicable requirement.

European customers and suppliers therefore need to exchange accurate packaging information and clearly define their respective responsibilities.

What We Recommend to Our European Customers

Customers preparing for PPWR implementation may consider the following actions:

  1. Review the packaging specifications currently sent to suppliers.
  2. Identify what material and weight data will be required.
  3. Confirm any prohibited or restricted packaging materials.
  4. Define the documents suppliers must provide.
  5. Communicate packaging changes before production begins.
  6. Avoid applying one packaging rule to every product without considering transportation risk.
  7. Review responsibilities with the importer or a qualified EU compliance professional.

Early communication gives both parties more time to evaluate materials, costs, testing and packaging changes.

Working Together on More Traceable Packaging

The PPWR will continue to influence how industrial products are packaged and supplied to the European market.

For manufacturers, importers and distributors, the practical challenge is not simply replacing plastic with paper. It is creating packaging that is:

We welcome customers to share their updated packaging specifications with us.

For new and existing projects involving linear actuators, lifting columns or motion-control products, our team can review the required packaging configuration and discuss what packaging information can be provided before bulk production.