In many companies, packaging regulation is still perceived as a classic B2C topic. However, that view is increasingly outdated.
With the new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, PPWR (Regulation (EU) 2025/40), a harmonized legal framework across the EU is being established for the first time. The regulation is already in force, and many requirements will apply from 12 August 2026 (with additional transitional periods depending on the topic).
As a result, B2B companies are coming further into the regulatory spotlight—especially where transport, industrial, and reusable packaging is used across international supply chains.
Packaging Regulation in Transition: From National Rules to EU-Wide Requirements
The direction of current and upcoming regulation is clear:
- strengthening the circular economy
- reducing packaging waste
- improving recyclability and increasing reuse rates
- expanding Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
Importantly, regulation is no longer limited to sales packaging in end-customer business. The scope is widening—also to packaging types that were long considered “less critical” in B2B contexts.
B2B Packaging in Focus: Who Is Typically Affected?
A common misconception is that packaging rules mainly apply to consumer sales packaging. In reality, the following are (and increasingly will be) relevant as well:
- transport packaging
- industrial and production packaging
- reusable packaging
- packaging used in cross-border movement of goods
B2B companies are particularly affected when they:
- place packaging on the market for the first time,
- act as an importer/manufacturer,
- are part of international EU supply chains.
Extended Producer Responsibility: More Than Just Registration
EPR is becoming (even more) an ongoing process—not a one-time checkbox exercise. Typical obligations include:
- registration with national packaging registers
- continuous volume and material reporting
- evidence of recovery/recycling
- data quality, traceability, audit readiness
Especially in B2B environments, we often see packaging being misclassified or responsibilities within the supply chain not being clearly defined.
Typical Challenges in the B2B Context
Project experience shows recurring problem areas such as:
- lack of transparency on packaging types used
- unclear roles in complex supply chains (who is the “producer” in which country?)
- manual, error-prone data collection
- missing integration of packaging data into existing IT/process landscapes
- uncertainty about national obligations vs. EU-wide requirements
This not only increases the risk of back payments or fines—it can also impact market access and the ability to supply customers reliably.
What B2B Companies Should Do Now
Starting early with a structured approach helps avoid operational and regulatory disruptions:
- Analyze your packaging portfolio (Which packaging? Which countries? Which roles?)
- Clearly define producer roles—nationally and across the EU
- Build robust processes and a reliable data foundation (verifiable, consistent, audit-ready)
- Prepare specifically for PPWR requirements—especially with 2026 in mind
What Can We Do for You?
Many companies don’t fail due to a lack of knowledge, but due to the day-to-day implementation: clear responsibilities, robust processes, clean data, and solid evidence across the supply chain must work operationally.
1cc remains your main point of contact for regulatory assessment, EPR/PPWR logic, and the structured derivation of obligations. TechProtect complements this by translating the requirements into resilient processes and “anchoring” them in daily operations—for example by setting up efficient take-back/return processes, managing partners operationally, and establishing structured documentation and proof through existing programs and workflows.
Contact us: 1cc and TechProtect