The first provisions of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (EU) 2025/40 (PPWR) begin to apply on 12 August 2026. The clear goal of the regulation is to reduce environmental waste and increase sustainability across Europe.
For independent craftspeople, however, the practical implementation remains complex. When shipping directly to customers in other EU countries, makers often encounter varying Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requirements across different national markets.
These compliance steps can quickly create significant financial and administrative hurdles for micro-businesses handling a low volume of international orders. The requirements often include:
- Registering with national recycling schemes.
- Navigating different regional reporting standards.
- The potential need to assign a local Authorised Representative in the destination country.
The European Crafts Alliance is preparing a formal position regarding the implementation of the PPWR. To ensure our input reflects the reality of the sector, we are gathering direct examples to share with European policymakers in the coming months.
We invite craftspeople, small studios, and regional associations to complete our brief survey. We want to understand exactly how these rules are taking shape in your daily operations, and whether the current framework has affected where you sell or the way you package your work.
Tell us how the rules affect you>>
Update, 1 September 2026
More than 700 responses have already been received through the ECA PPWR Impact Survey. Thank you to everyone who has already taken the time to share their experience.
Related
The European Commission has opened a public consultation on the rules for national registers of packaging producers. Read about the consultation>>
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