The vast majority of British manufacturers and suppliers are having to redesign their packaging to comply with sweeping European Union environmental regulations coming into force today.
From August 12, the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) introduces strict new frameworks for packaging circularity, including mandatory requirements for recyclability, recycled content, and material minimisation.
According to a new survey of 200 British businesses by Advanced Supply Chain, 93% of companies said they have been, or expect to be, affected by the incoming legislation.
The research found 39% are currently making changes to their packaging, while a further 32% are reviewing and assessing their formats. Just 16% have already adapted their packaging to comply, while only 7% reported the new rules will have no impact on their operations.
Stuart Greenfield, UK and European sales director at Advanced Supply Chain, said the findings highlight just how far-reaching the EU’s new packaging regulations have become for sectors including fashion, consumer electronics, and homewares.
“Although the PPWR is an EU regulation, it’s not unusual to see businesses applying PPWR principles to packaging used outside the EU,” he said. “British businesses want to continue trading seamlessly with customers across Europe, and many are standardising packaging formats to support compliance, control costs, and simplify retail logistics across multiple markets.”
Companies that fail to adapt to the new legislation face being squeezed by rising Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) compliance costs and potential market exclusion in Europe.
Alongside the EU transition, British businesses are simultaneously grappling with the UK’s own pEPR scheme, which shifts the cost of managing packaging waste away from local authorities and onto the businesses producing it.
Anthony Brimelow, co-owner and commercial director at packaging manufacturer Duo, which supplies brands across the UK and EU, said the dual regulatory pressures are driving a major shift in material use.
“We’re seeing a growing number of British businesses prioritise packaging strategies that increase levels of recycled content, right-size packages, and focus on lightweight materials,” he said.
“The PPWR and pEPR are driving this trend, but the challenge is ensuring sustainability gains don’t come at the expense of packaging integrity. We expect this to drive innovation in advanced materials that deliver strength and efficiency.”
Despite the initial friction caused by the domestic pEPR rollout, Greenfield expects the resulting waste to decline as supply chains adapt.
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