Best PracticesPPWR and Directive 2024/825: what to check on your packaging before an inspection
Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging (PPWR) and Directive (EU) 2024/825 on green claims are both already in force. In Romania, Directive 2024/825 is transposed via Emergency Ordinance 18/2026, applied in stages — the last stage enters into force on 27 September 2026, just days from now. For an importer or online seller, that means every batch of packaged product placed on the EU market has to pass two filters at once — design and recyclability on one side, and the truthfulness of any green claims printed on the packaging on the other.
1. Packaging design
PPWR requires packaging to be recyclable at material level and to keep a reasonable ratio between packaging size and the product it contains. Oversized packaging with excessive empty space can be flagged during an inspection even when the material itself is recyclable.
2. Labelling and sorting symbols
Labelling must clearly indicate the material and sorting instructions, using the harmonised EU symbols. Old labels designed only for a local market are a frequent point of non-compliance.
3. Environmental claims
This is where Directive 2024/825 comes in: any claim such as "eco-friendly", "biodegradable" or "sustainable" on packaging must be backed by verifiable evidence. A generic claim with no testing or certification behind it is exactly the kind of detail an inspection can challenge immediately.
4. The technical documentation file
Beyond the physical packaging itself, market surveillance authorities can request a technical file at any time, demonstrating on paper that both the design decisions and the claims displayed are compliant. Missing this file — even when the packaging itself is fine — can lead to delays and penalties.
What we do
Our PPWR compliance audit checks all four areas above, point by point, and delivers a Declaration of Conformity package, ready for inspection, with corrective recommendations where needed.