PPWR EU Packaging Regulation

1.Scope
Applies to all sales packaging for jewellery: gift boxes, velvet boxes, organza bags, plastic pouches, paper boxes, display packaging and e-commerce outer packaging. Packaging is defined as any item used to contain, protect, present or deliver the jewellery.

2. Heavy metal restriction (mandatory from 12 Aug 2026)
Sum of Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Hexavalent Chromium ≤ 100 mg/kg in packaging material (paper, plastic, ink, glue, coating, velvet lining included).
Note: This is separate from REACH Annex XVII for jewellery
articles.

3. Design & recyclability rules
Packaging  must  be  designed  to  be  recyclable;  avoid  multi-material  composite structures that are hard to separate (e.g. laminated plastic-paper with no easy separation).
 Principle  of  minimisation:   no  excessive  /   unnecessary  packaging  (weight  & volume kept to the minimum required to protect the jewellery).
Restrictions  on  intentional  PFAS  in  packaging  (mainly  food  contact,  but  avoid PFAS treatment on jewellery packaging).

4. EPR – Extended Producer Responsibility
(critical for importers/brand owners)
The EU importer / brand owner placing goods on EU market must register EPR in each member state, pay packaging recycling fees and submit periodic
packaging data (material type & weight). Non-compliance may result in customs hold, platform delisting, fines up to 2–6% of global turnover.

5. Labelling (timeline split)
Now (2026): Material identification marking (existing voluntary material codes e.g. PAP, PET, PP still acceptable).
12  Aug  2028  onward:  Mandatory  harmonised  EU  packaging  sorting  label  / material composition marking (digital QR alternative allowed for small jewellery boxes where physical marking is impractical).
Marking must be durable, legible and visible.

6. Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
A PPWR Declaration of Conformity shall be issued by the responsible
economic operator, covering packaging material composition, heavy metal test results, recyclability statement and EPR registration reference.

7. Additional relevant rules (cross reference)
1.  REACH Annex  XVII  also  applies  to  packaging  materials  (SVHC  >0.1%  w/w triggers information obligation).
2.  If  packaging  is  for  children’s jewellery:  EN  71  series  heavy  metal  migration requirements apply for packaging materials in contact with children.