PPWR — the EU Packaging Regulation and reusable pallets

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) explicitly promotes a closed-loop model for packaging. Plastic pallets from Libra Partners – made from pure recycled HDPE, lightweight, highly durable and 100% recyclable – are the perfect solution to the upcoming, stringent EU legal requirements.

What is PPWR and who does it apply to?

The PPWR is a new European Union regulation on packaging and packaging waste, which completely replaces the existing, outdated Directive 94/62/EC. Unlike the directive, the PPWR Regulation applies directly in all EU Member States, without the need for transposition into national law. The provisions have already entered into force, and the vast majority of the stringent requirements will become mandatory from 12 August 2026.

The regulation covers all types of packaging without exception: primary, secondary and transport packaging. Under the regulations, pallets are classified as transport packaging. This means that manufacturers, importers, distributors and, above all, users of pallets in supply chains will be legally required to demonstrate full compliance with the PPWR, which will also affect the level of fees under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes.

What are the objectives of the PPWR? Recycled material, recyclability and reuse

PPWR is radically changing the game in logistics, based on three main pillars:

• Maximising the use of reusable packaging (Reuse): The European Union is setting specific minimum percentage targets for the use of reusable pallets in closed-loop systems from 2030 onwards. These regulations are intended to challenge the single-use packaging model.
• Mandatory recycled content: A gradual increase in the required proportion of recycled materials in new plastic packaging.
• Design for Recycling: From 2030, all packaging on the EU market must be 100% suitable for material recycling.

Furthermore, the PPWR places great emphasis on eliminating so-called ‘empty space’ and reducing the weight of packaging (which must be as light as possible whilst retaining its protective functions). New, stringent limits on hazardous substances, including heavy metals and PFAS compounds, are also of paramount importance. This forces companies to exercise full control over the chemical composition of the substrates they use.

Timetable and declaration of conformity: Key dates

• 11 February 2025 The official entry into force of the regulations.
• 12 August 2026 – The start of the strict enforcement of most of the regulations. From this date, companies must have full compliance documentation, adhere to the new limits on hazardous substances, and meet the recyclability criteria.

What does this mean for procurement and logistics? What does this mean for procurement and logistics? Manufacturers and importers of packaging will be legally required to issue official PPWR declarations of conformity. As a recipient of pallets, you must require your supplier to provide detailed product data sheets and laboratory certificates confirming the recycled content, material composition and the absence of prohibited substances.

Do Libra Partners’ HDPE pallets comply with the PPWR requirements?

Libra Partners offers standardised Euro plastic pallets (measuring 1200 × 800 × 144 mm) manufactured from high-quality, pure HDPE regranulate. These pallets are fully certified to international standards (the standard model weighs approx. 9 kg and can withstand a static load of up to 3,000 kg, a dynamic load of up to 1,500 kg and a racking load of up to 750 kg).

From the perspective of the PPWR regulations, these pallets offer key legal advantages:

• From the perspective of the PPWR regulations, these pallets offer key legal advantages: Compliance with the recycled content requirement: Being made from recycled HDPE fulfils the EU requirement to use recycled materials in plastic packaging.
• Exceptional durability (Reuse-compatible): Our pallets can be safely used in closed-loop logistics systems (internal and external pooling) for many times longer than traditional wooden pallets, thereby perfectly meeting the EU’s waste reduction targets.
• Complete purity of composition: The production process at Libra Partners ensures that the material is free from hazardous substances (PFAS, heavy metals), as confirmed by comprehensive technical documentation.

What does PPWR mean for logistics managers and buyers?

The choice of load carrier is no longer merely a matter of cost optimisation – it has become a decision concerning regulatory compliance and legal risk management. The use of standardised recycled plastic pallets (HDPE) significantly simplifies reporting within national EPR schemes and facilitates audits as part of a company’s ESG strategy, providing ready-made, hard data on the weight, material and origin of the packaging.

By choosing Libra Partners’ solutions, you can be sure that your supply chain will be 100% compliant with EU law after 12 August 2026.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Does the PPWR cover pallets as transport packaging?

Yes. The PPWR Regulation explicitly lists pallets as transport packaging subject to the full scope of the regulations – including extended producer responsibility and reporting obligations.

From when must a company have pallets that comply with the PPWR?

Most of the key provisions, including the requirement for a declaration of conformity and restrictions on chemical composition and hazardous substances (such as PFAS), will come into force on 12 August 2026.

How can compliance of plastic pallets with the new legislation be documented? Is ISO 8611 required?

Under the provisions of the PPWR, the manufacturer (or importer) is required to provide an official declaration of conformity and a technical data sheet (TDS) specifying the type of raw material used, its weight and the recycled content. The international standard ISO 8611, on the other hand, is a separate engineering standard under which the strength and load-bearing parameters of the pallet (static, dynamic, racking) must be laboratory-tested and verified so that the data declared in the technical data sheet is fully reliable for auditors.

Are HDPE plastic pallets better than wooden pallets in terms of PPWR?

Yes, from the perspective of reporting and circular economy objectives, recycled HDPE offers a significant advantage. It allows for the precise, repeatable determination of the percentage of recycled content in each item and guarantees full, loss-free material recyclability at the end of the product’s life. In the case of traditional, contaminated or repeatedly repaired wooden pallets, it can be extremely difficult to accurately demonstrate these parameters in environmental reports.

How do Libra Partners’ pallets support the achievement of ESG goals?

Thanks to their exceptionally long service life and use within closed-loop logistics systems, Libra Partners’ plastic pallets drastically reduce a company’s packaging waste stream. The use of 100% recycled raw materials and the reduction in CO2 emissions (confirmed by LCA certification) provide hard, measurable data for annual sustainability reports.

Summary: The new EU PPWR regulation means that, from August 2026 onwards, the lack of proper transport packaging documentation will bring many logistics chains to a standstill. If you want to ensure your business is prepared for the upcoming changes, contact the experts at Libra Partners. We will help you select the right pallet model, provide free samples for testing, and prepare full technical documentation compliant with the PPWR.