The EU Commission has submitted a draft delegated act in relation to the PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation), which is intended to exempt certain economic operators from the 100-% reuse obligation for pallet wrapping and strapping. The background to this is the reuse targets of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (EU) 2025/40, which will apply from 2030.
Article 29 of the Regulation takes centre stage: while Article 29(1) provides for an overall target of 40 % of reusable transport packaging, Articles 29(2) and 29(3) stipulate a reuse of 100 % for certain transports within companies and within a Member State respectively - including for pallet wrapping and strapping.
Justification: High conversion costs and limited market maturity
The Commission points out that although reusable pallet wrapping and strapping is available on the market, a widespread switch to exclusively reusable solutions could trigger „disproportionate“ adjustment costs in all affected cases. Among other things, investments in the reorganisation of packaging lines, additional technology and training are mentioned; the text cites costs of around 610 million euros for affected companies as a rough order of magnitude.
What the draft would change in concrete terms
The draft exempts economic operators who use pallet wrapping or strapping to stabilise and protect palletised goods from the 100-% reuse requirements of Articles 29(2) and 29(3). The general reuse objectives in Article 29(1) remain unaffected.
Timetable: Entry into force after publication, application from 2030
The decision will enter into force on the twentieth day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union and will apply from 1 January 2030.
Source: EU Commission
