Supporting companies in navigating the transition to PPWR compliance and turning regulatory change into a catalyst for more circular and efficient packaging solutions.

EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)

Data protection services

We support organisations in translating the complexity of the PPWR into clear, actionable steps

Our service enables companies to assess their packaging portfolios exposure, identify compliance gaps, preparing declaration of conformity (DoC) and implement practical solutions across design, materials, and operations—ensuring readiness for evolving EU requirements from 2026 onwards.

By combining regulatory expertise with hands-on implementation support, we not only ensure compliance but also help businesses optimise packaging, reduce costs, and unlock circular opportunities that strengthen long-term competitiveness.

PPWR is not just a regulatory change — it is a fundamental reset of how packaging creates cost, risk, and competitive advantage. For Swiss companies, PPWR is not optional — it is the new condition for accessing the EU market

Antonios KoumbarakisPartner, Sustainability & Strategic Regulatory, PwC Switzerland

What PPWR aims to achieve

The regulation defines clear objectives to transform the packaging system in Europe. These objectives mark a shift towards a circular economy, where packaging is designed to remain in use for as long as possible.

All packaging to be recyclable by 2030 in an economically viable way

Increased use of recycled plastics in packaging applications

Reduced reliance on virgin materials, supporting the transition towards climate neutrality by 2050

How we create business impact

Our service helps you turn regulatory pressure into a strategic advantage—by reducing complexity, lowering costs, and future-proofing your packaging portfolio, while strengthening your positioning in an increasingly sustainability-driven market.

From compliance to business transformation 

PPWR introduces significant cost and operational implications that cannot be addressed through product-level compliance alone. We support organisations in quantifying their exposure and transforming their packaging strategy end-to-end. 

  • Understand financial impact – quantify EPR fees, redesign costs and cost optimisation potential 

  • Redesign for efficiency – optimise packaging portfolios to balance compliance, cost and performance 

  • Transform your value chain – embed PPWR into procurement, sourcing and supply chain decisions  

  • Enable data-driven compliance – establish scalable data and reporting capabilities across markets 

Our approach ensures that PPWR is not treated as a one-off exercise, but as a lever to improve cost efficiency and operational resilience. 

How we create value

By combining deep regulatory expertise with hands-on implementation, we go beyond compliance:

  • Ensure compliance with confidence in a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape

  • Optimise packaging design and materials, supporting cost and efficiency improvements

  • Strengthen data and reporting capabilities to meet EPR and transparency requirements 

  • Enable circular solutions, supporting waste reduction, recyclability, and reuse

What this means for your business

PPWR translates into a broad set of operational, financial, and strategic implications across the packaging value chain. The regulation not only introduces new compliance requirements, but also drives fundamental changes in how packaging is designed, used, and managed.

Design and usage requirements

  • Certain packaging formats will be restricted or no longer permitted
  • Limits on empty space in packaging, particularly in transport and e-commerce
  • Mandatory design criteria to improve recyclability

Shift to reuse and circular models

  • Increased focus on reusable and refillable packaging
  • Promotion of deposit and return systems

Evolving cost structures through EPR

  • Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) becomes more stringent
  • Introduction of ecomodulation, adjusting fees based on sustainability performance
  • Financial incentives for recyclable and circular packaging

Our PPWR service offering

We support organisations across the entire PPWR transformation journey—from initial diagnostics to full implementation and continuous compliance. Our approach combines deep regulatory expertise, cross-functional capabilities, and a strong focus on practical, results-driven execution.

  • Quick scan on product exposure through PPWR
  • Declaration of conformity (DoC) check or drafting it for market access (PwC automatised tool)
  • Regulatory gap assessment & market insights: Deliver a rigorous, end-to-end assessment of your packaging portfolio: PPWR gap analysis, prioritized risks and value-creation opportunities, and market benchmarking to set a clear, data-driven baseline for action.
  • Drafting PPWR target operating model and corresponding roadmap
  • Strategy development: Definition of target state and ambition level, translation of regulatory requirements into a pragmatic roadmap, and alignment of packaging strategy with business, operational, and sustainability objectives.
  • Transformation and Implementation: Turn regulation into competitive advantage by redesigning packaging through circularity and reuse innovation, while embedding PPWR into operations with data-driven KPIs and continuous monitoring to drive compliance, efficiency, and lasting business impact.
  • Reporting: Establishment of data structures, support for EPR obligations and regulatory reporting, and ensuring transparent, consistent documentation aligned with requirements.

The real challenge of PPWR is not understanding the rules – it is understanding the cost and operational impact behind them. Companies that quantify this early will succeed

Andreea GiovaniManager, Sustainability & Strategic Regulatory, PwC Switzerland

Your benefits

End-to-end, future-proof perspective

We bring together regulatory foresight, sustainability strategy, operations, and financial implications to address PPWR as a full value chain transformation—not a standalone compliance exercise.

Integrated EU regulatory lens

Building on deep expertise across the EU Green Deal, we translate evolving PPWR requirements, guidance, and upcoming implementing acts into a coherent roadmap—ensuring alignment with adjacent frameworks and avoiding fragmented execution.

Actionable and implementation-driven

We convert regulatory complexity into targeted, practical actions—prioritising what matters most (e.g. recyclability, re-use, EPR, labelling) while balancing environmental ambition with operational feasibility and cost impact.

Get in touch

Discover how our PPWR services can help your business stay ahead

Contact us

Dr. Antonios Koumbarakis

Partner, Sustainability & Strategic Regulatory, PwC Switzerland

+41 79 267 84 89

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Yves Dennler

Partner, Technology & Transformation, PwC Switzerland

+41 76 369 08 88

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Marcel Meyer

Partner, Sustainability & Climate Change, PwC Switzerland

+41 79 587 94 05

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Dora Forgacs

Director, Sustainability & Strategic Regulatory, PwC Switzerland

+41 75 413 1861

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Andreea Giovani

Manager, Sustainability & Strategic Regulatory, PwC Switzerland

+41 79 868 95 79

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Dr Sebastian Klotz

Senior Manager | Trade, Technology, and Sustainability, PwC Switzerland

+41 79 891 22 89

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