An introduction to the PPWR (EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation) guidebook presented at the Processed Food Export Seminar (held on February 28, 2025) by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries GFP Processed Food Division.
PPWR is the new EU packaging and packaging waste regulation that came into effect in 2024, positioned as an important regulation that directly impacts processed food companies exporting to the EU. In this seminar, the Regulatory Countermeasures Group of the Export and International Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, from Mizuho Research & Technologies, Ltd., provided detailed explanations of PPWR as part of the FY2024 Export Environment Development Promotion Commissioned Project.
The guidebook is structured with Chapter 1 "What is the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)" explaining the basic concepts and scope of application of PPWR, and Chapter 2 "Requirements Imposed on Packaging" providing detailed explanations of specific requirements that business operators must comply with. The overall picture of requirements imposed on packaging shows demands for compliance with recyclable packaging, mandatory introduction of reusable packaging systems, and weight reduction targets for packaging materials.
Additionally, specific criteria for "recyclable packaging" are mentioned as requirement examples, emphasizing the necessity for Japanese processed food companies exporting to the EU market to understand the regulatory content that will be applied progressively from 2030 and to advance preparation for packaging specification reviews and countermeasures.
The article concludes that PPWR provides comprehensive information from a practical perspective about the significant impact on food exports to the EU and the importance of advance preparation.