PPWR — EU Regulation 2025/40: harmonised rules, national registration

• Design requirements: recyclability criteria, recycled content in plastic packaging, limits on excessive empty space.
• Labelling: harmonised material and sorting marking across the single market.
• Definitions and calculation rules, so the same packaging is classified the same way everywhere.
• Reuse and refill obligations for certain sectors and formats.
• Restrictions on certain single-use formats.

• Producer registration: one registration per member state where you place packaging on the market.
• The producer responsibility organisation contract, concluded with a scheme licensed in that country.
• The fee level and its calculation basis, set nationally — in Romania through the Environmental Fund.
• Reporting frequency, format and deadlines. Romania is monthly, by the 25th.
• Enforcement: the national authority inspects and fines.

The same logic applies in reverse for a Romanian seller shipping abroad, and for every other pair of EU markets.

PPWR makes explicit what enforcement had already been moving towards: a seller who ships directly to consumers in another member state is a producer in that member state and needs a representative established there. Marketplaces are increasingly required to verify that their sellers hold valid national registrations, which is why registration numbers are now being requested at onboarding.

For a seller, the practical consequence is simple. Selling into six markets means six registrations, six local contacts and six reporting calendars — not one European filing.

1. 1
   Split your volumes by destination country

   Shipment data by destination is the basis of every national declaration.

2. 2
   Build a packaging weight table per SKU

   One table serves every market; only the volumes differ.

3. 3
   Register where you actually sell

   Starting with the markets where you have the highest volumes or a marketplace request pending.

4. 4
   Regularise past periods

   Voluntary correction costs far less than being found during an inspection.

5. 5
   Review packaging design

   Recyclability, recycled content and empty-space rules will affect what you may ship, not just what you pay.

Does PPWR mean one EU-wide registration?

No. It harmonises requirements and reporting content, but registration, the local representative and payment remain per member state.

When does it apply?

The regulation entered into force in February 2025 and its main body of obligations applies from August 2026, with several requirements phased in later. National EPR duties, including Romania's, apply already and independently.

Do we need to change our packaging now?

Design requirements phase in over several years, so this is planning work rather than an emergency. Registration and reporting are the immediate items.

Where can we read the regulation?

Regulation (EU) 2025/40 is published in full on EUR-Lex, in every official EU language including English, Hungarian and Romanian.

• Packaging EPR in detailWhat Romania asks for, material by material.
• Authorised representativeThe local presence PPWR expects distance sellers to have.
• How we work and what it costsOnboarding and the monthly cycle.
• Free assessmentAsk us about your Romanian exposure.