How the 2025 EU Packaging Regulation Impacts eCommerce and Logistics

As packaging waste continues to pose serious environmental challenges, governments across the globe are tightening regulations to ensure more sustainable practices. For businesses in eCommerce, courier logistics, and secure shipments, this means a growing need to stay informed and compliant.

One of the most significant regulatory shifts in 2025 is happening in the European Union. The newly enacted EU packaging regulations, which came into effect in January 2025, represent a major overhaul of packaging laws—introducing stringent requirements aimed at reducing waste, improving recyclability, and promoting a circular economy.

In this article, we break down what these regulations entail, how they impact businesses operating within or exporting to the EU, and what steps you can take to stay ahead.

Why the EU Packaging Regulations Matter

The EU has long been a global leader in environmental policy, and its new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is no exception. Adopted in early 2023 and implemented from February 11^th  2025, this legislation directly affects any business that places packaged goods on the EU market. It’s important to note that PPWR repeals and replaces the current Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD), but some provisions of the existing regulation will continue to apply even after that date.

The goals of the regulation are clear:

• Reduce packaging waste by at least 15% per capita by 2040.
• Ensure all packaging is reusable or recyclable by 2030.
• Eliminate unnecessary packaging and empty space.
• Standardize labeling across member states to improve consumer recycling behavior.
• Decrease the use of virgin materials and put the sector on track to climate neutrality by 2050

Key Provisions of the 2025 EU Packaging Regulations

For eCommerce, courier, and security-focused businesses, many of which rely heavily on packaging, the implications are substantial. So here are the main requirements for mentioned industries:

1. Recyclability Requirements

All packaging placed on the EU market must be recyclable by design and composition, with stringent requirements applying from 2030. This includes:

• Use of mono-materials or material combinations that permit easy separation and ensure high yield of secondary raw materials.
• Restrictions on use of materials with recyclability grade C, that includes all materials with recyclability performance grade below 70%.
• Guidelines on adhesives, inks, colours and labels that aim to increase recyclability by streamlining sorting process and preserving the quality of secondary materials.

Businesses will need to work closely with suppliers to ensure that their packaging materials meet these criteria. Modepack, for example, is already aligning its production with these new standards to offer recyclable packaging solutions.

2. Reduction of Empty Space in Packaging

The regulation mandates that shipping packages must not exceed 50% empty space, significantly affecting eCommerce and courier operations. Empty space is defined as difference between the total volume of grouped packaging, transport packaging or e-commerce packaging and the volume of sales packaging contained therein.

It’s important to note that space filled by filling materials, such as paper cuttings, air cushions, bubble wraps, etc. shall be considered as empty space.

Companies will need to rethink their packaging dimensions and filler materials, possibly adopting right-sized packaging automation to comply.

3. Mandatory Reuse for Certain Sectors

For high-volume shipping operations, the EU now requires a percentage of packaging to be reusable. There are two systems at play:

• “closed loop system” means a re-use system in which reusable packaging is circulated by a system operator or a co-operating group without the change of the ownership of packaging
• “open loop system” means a re-use system in which reusable packaging circulates amongst an unspecified number of system participants, and the ownership of the packaging changes at one or more points in the re-use process

Reusable packaging will need to be robust, traceable, and standardized, potentially requiring major operational changes, as clear systems for return, cleaning, and reuse must be in place.

10% of transport packaging for eCommerce must be reusable by 2030, while from 2040 that share will rise to 25%.

4. Harmonized Labeling

A unified EU-wide labeling system will be mandatory for all packaging from 2028, that will make it instantly clear to consumers how to dispose of packaging—without needing to guess or search. Each package must include:

• A symbol indicating the material used.
• Disposal instructions using standardized pictograms
• Matching labels on waste bins to guide correct separation.
• Reuse instructions if applicable.

This impacts both primary and secondary packaging, requiring businesses to update their packaging artwork and labeling processes.

5. Producer Responsibility and Reporting

EPR or Extended Producer Resposibility means that companies are responsible not just for making and selling packaging, but also for what happens to that packaging after the consumer uses it. That includes collection, recycling, reuse — and the costs associated with all of it.

Think of it this way, if your business puts packaging on the market, you’re now financially and operationally accountable for managing that packaging’s waste. So from August 2026 businesses must collect and report detailed data on their packaging:

• Types and weights of materials used.
• Recyclability compliance.
• Reuse rates.

With higher accountability and increased cost, it is expected from businesses to develop better packaging designs.

What This Means for Your Business

Whether you’re an EU-based company or an exporter, the new rules have implications across product design, logistics, and compliance operations. General date of application is set for August 12^th 2026, so businesses have a little over a year to adjust to new policy.

eCommerce retailers:

• You may need to redesign product packaging to reduce excess space.
• Packaging materials must be clearly labeled and fully recyclable.
• You’ll be responsible for reusable shipping packaging targets.

Courier companies:

• Parcels you handle must comply with material and volume regulations.
• You may need to work with clients to improve packaging standards.
• You’ll play a role in managing reusable packaging flows and returns.

Businesses using security packaging:

• Tamper-evident bags and security envelopes must now balance safety with sustainability.
• Materials must be selected with both recyclability and security in mind.
• Choosing suppliers who innovate in recyclable security solutions will be critical.

Let’s summarize

The 2025 EU packaging regulations mark a significant step forward in the global effort toward sustainability. For businesses in eCommerce, logistics, and secure shipments, these changes aren’t just a legal requirement. They’re an opportunity to innovate, reduce costs, and enhance brand reputation. By aligning your packaging strategy with these regulations today, you’ll position your business as a responsible, forward-thinking player in the global market.

Need help navigating the new rules?

Modepack offers a wide range of eCommerce, security, and courier packaging solutions designed with both compliance and performance in mind. Contact us to explore how we can support your transition to EU-compliant packaging.