Article 3: What does the PPWR mean for beverage cartons?

12 August 2026 will be an important date for the packaging sector, as the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) starts applying across the EU. With this European regulation, the EU aims to reduce packaging waste, limit the use of primary raw materials, and accelerate the transition towards a circular economy.

The food and beverage carton sector is already actively preparing for new requirements, which include measures related to packaging design, technical documentation, producer responsibility, and the way in which the recyclability of packaging is assessed.

Food and beverage cartons already benefit from an established collection and recycling chain in Belgium and Europe. In addition, while work is still ongoing at European level on the technical criteria that will determine how recyclability and Design for Recycling will be assessed in practice, the Food and Beverage Carton Alliance (FBCA) recently published updated Design for Recycling Guidelines for beverage cartons and, together with RECY:CHECK, developed an assessment and certification methodology to objectively evaluate the recyclability of fibre-based composite packaging.

Preparations for the PPWR are also well underway in Belgium. In view of the application of the new rules from 12 August 2026 onwards, the competent authorities and organisations within the extended producer responsibility (EPR) system are preparing for the implementation of the new framework. The Interregional Packaging Commission (IVC) has already informed companies about the impact of the new legislation and the changes that will apply from that date.

Belgium starts from a strong position. Thanks to existing systems such as Fost Plus and Valipac, our country is among the European frontrunners in the collection and recycling of packaging. This accumulated expertise is an important asset in the implementation of the PPWR and provides a solid basis for putting the new European requirements into practice.

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