Update PPWR legislation

From 11 February 2025, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) will officially come into force and new rules will be introduced step by step in all EU countries. Is there any more information available about the impact on the floriculture sector? Royal FloraHolland is closely monitoring developments, assessing the impact and working with various partners on an action plan to ensure readiness for the new rules.

The PPWR is the EU legislation for Packaging and Packaging Waste as part of the Green Deal. The legislation aims to reduce the amount of packaging and packaging waste and encourage reuse and high-quality recycling. Ultimately, this should lead to a reduction in the amount of packaging waste per capita compared to 2018: -5% in 2030, -10% in 2035 and -15% in 2040.

What does this mean for the floriculture sector in general?
The introduction of the PPWR has a number of consequences for growers, buyers and suppliers within the floriculture sector and affects all links in the packaging chain:
•    Stricter requirements for the packaging of flowers and plants.
•    Greater emphasis on recyclable materials and reusable transport packaging.
•    Minimum use of recycled material for plastic packaging.
•    New labelling requirements for better waste separation and reuse.

Producers and/or importers of packaging on the European market are primarily responsible for the correct administration and implementation of the legislation.

And what does this mean in concrete terms for the floriculture sector?
Anyone who uses packaging (e.g. buckets, trays, covers and films) in the floriculture sector will be affected by the PPWR. The main points of the law are known, but many details have not yet been worked out and will follow later. In the coming years, further detailed rules will be drawn up, which will be mandatory and will determine how you must comply with the law in practice. It is a complicated process, in which everything is becoming clearer bit by bit. Below, we provide an update on what has become more concrete in the meantime:

•    EU countries will start phased implementation on 12 August 2026. The first obligations, such as administration, will apply from 2027. The company that is the first to offer or unpack packaging in a Member State will draw up a declaration of conformity and assess whether the packaging meets the PPWR requirements. All parties in the chain that subsequently use this packaging – from grower to retailer – must check whether the packaging they purchase is accompanied by a declaration of conformity. At the beginning of 2026, it will become clear what this declaration of conformity should look like. 

•    From 1 January 2030, only packaging that meets the environmental requirements (Articles 5 to 12) may be placed on the European market. It may seem a long way off, but it is important to start thinking about this now and make the right choices. Tip: talk to your packaging suppliers and/or customers in time.

What now?
We will continue to monitor PPWR developments and share updates as soon as more information becomes available. In recent months, we have:
•    Assessed the impact: conducted an internal analysis of the potential impact of the PPWR on the floriculture sector.
•    Consulted with partners: discussed practical issues with organisations such as HSPI, VGB, Union Fleurs, Copa Cogeca and Verpact.
•    Shared knowledge: actively participated in knowledge sessions and, together with HSPI, organised an event on the impact and opportunities of PPWR for the floriculture sector.
•    An action plan in preparation: based on new insights, we are working on a plan to ensure that the sector complies with the legislation.
•    Packaging register under development: a central packaging register for the floriculture sector to digitally exchange sustainability data and simplify administration.

The aim is to represent the interests of the floriculture sector effectively and to ensure that our own packaging and processes comply with the new rules.

Read more
•    How does the new EU packaging legislation (PPWR) affect the floriculture sector? (Royal FloraHolland press release)
•    From 11 February 2025, EU packaging legislation PPWR comes into force; what's the impact? (Royal FloraHolland press release)
•    All about PPWR (Verpact website)
•    PPWR (European Commission website)