Europe’s New Packaging Rules – What Businesses Need to Know Packaging rules are changing – is your business ready? Whether your business manufactures products, imports goods, sells online, supplies retailers or operates in industries like hospitality or healthcare, the EU's new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is likely to have implications for your organisation. More than a sustainability initiative, PPWR introduces new legal requirements that will reshape how packaging is designed, used and managed across the EU. With key provisions having taken effect from 12 August 2026, now is the time to understand what the regulation means for your business and how to prepare for moving forward
What you will learn
The EU’s new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR – Regulation (EU) 2025/40) entered into force in February 2025. Unlike the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive it replaces, the PPWR is a Regulation, so it applies directly in Ireland with no national transposition required. Most obligations take effect from August 2026, with further design, labelling, recycled-content, reuse and deposit-return requirements phasing in out to 2030 and beyond.
For Local Enterprise Office client companies – food and drink producers, manufacturers, retailers and online sellers – this is a significant compliance shift. Packaging design, minimum recycled content, labelling, the reduction of unnecessary and empty packaging (including e-commerce and grouped packaging), and new reuse and take-back obligations will all be affected, alongside knock-on changes to Ireland’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and deposit return (Re-turn) arrangements.
Most SMEs do not have in-house regulatory or environmental expertise to track and interpret evolving EU packaging law, and many are not yet aware of what the PPWR requires, when, or that it already applies directly rather than waiting on Irish legislation.
Join the LEO for a one hour information webinar delivered by Antaris Consulting that will give companies a clear, practical introduction to the PPWR – what it requires, when, and what to do now.
About the speaker -Patricia (Pat) Kane – Chief Sustainability Officer & B Corp Lead
Pat Kane is Chief Sustainability Officer at Antaris Consulting and a certified B Corp Lead, specialising in sustainability strategy design and implementation, ESG integration and sustainability communications.
She advises organisations on carbon footprint measurement, EcoVadis, ISO 14001 and internal sustainability reporting, and has a proven track record of translating environmental obligations into practical, operational steps for businesses. Pat is currently working with clients on integrating the PPWR requirements into their existing packaging and sustainability strategies. She holds qualifications in Circular Economy and Sustainability Strategies from the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, and is an experienced speaker and media contributor on sustainability across print, broadcast and digital platforms
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