12 August 2026: The date that will shape the future of packaging in Europe

The packaging industry is facing a key milestone: 12 August 2026, the date on which the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWR) comes into force. This European legislation introduces significant changes for manufacturers, importers and distributors of packaging across the European Union, setting out clear obligations to ensure the transparency, traceability and sustainability of packaging.

The Declaration of Conformity (DoC) and its importance

One of the central elements of the PPWR is the EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC). This document certifies that a piece of packaging complies with the requirements set out by European legislation and must be supported by technical documentation, which includes detailed information on the packaging’s composition, materials, recyclability and traceability.

Having the DoC and the complete technical documentation is not merely a formality: it is the basis for demonstrating compliance with the regulations and ensuring legal certainty when placing packaging on the market within the EU.

Key obligations

From 12 August 2026, economic operators must ensure that they:

From 12 August 2026, economic operators must ensure that they:

Correctly draw up the EU Declaration of Conformity for all packaging placed on the market.
Ensure that the QR code or data medium accompanying the packaging provides full access to the information required by Article 12 of the PPWR.
Keep the technical documentation set out in Annex VII available, complete and free from errors, ready for submission to the competent authorities.
Non-compliance and possible penalties

Although the regulation does not provide for immediate financial penalties for the absence of the DoC, formal non-compliance does give rise to obligations to rectify the situation. If a Member State detects any of the following situations:

The DoC has not been drawn up.
The DoC has not been drawn up correctly.
The QR code or data medium does not allow access to the required information.
The technical documentation is incomplete or contains errors.
Then, the relevant economic operator will be required to rectify the non-compliance within the timeframe specified by the competent authority. In other words, not having the complete documentation does not result in an immediate financial penalty, but it does entail a formal obligation to rectify the situation. Failure to do so could subsequently lead to more severe measures.

Preparing in advance

With 12 August 2026 just around the corner, companies in the sector must act in good time to:

Review and update the DoC for all packaging.
Verify that QR codes or digital media comply with the requirements for access to information.
Confirm that the technical documentation is complete, up to date and free from errors.
Preparing in good time will enable manufacturers and distributors to comply with European regulations, avoid issues with the authorities and demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and the traceability of packaging.

Empack 2026: solutions for regulatory compliance

With Empack Madrid 2026 taking place in November, industry professionals will have the opportunity to explore practical tools and solutions to comply with the PPWR and DoC obligations. The trade fair will offer:

Documentation and traceability management systems that facilitate the generation and control of the DoC.
Digital solutions and labelling platforms that ensure correct access to the information required by regulations.
Practical implementation case studies to optimise internal processes and ensure that technical documentation is complete and verified.
Empack is establishing itself as a strategic forum for manufacturers, distributors and packaging suppliers to prepare for the entry into force of the PPWR, exchange experiences and discover how technological innovation can help them comply with the regulations efficiently and safely.