PPWR does not have to be a threat. The right IT solution can help you keep it under control

The new European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation – PPWR – introduces a wide range of new requirements for companies. At first glance, for many businesses this means additional legislation, more administration, more data and documentation, and ultimately more work for employees.

The first reaction may therefore be concern about the growing administrative burden and the need for additional staff. However, a well-designed IT solution can automate a significant part of this work.

PPWR is not just about packaging. It is also about data.

The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) applies from 12 August 2026. It gradually introduces requirements related to areas such as packaging recyclability, packaging minimisation, recycled content and labelling.

However, companies face another important challenge: they need to have the required data available, be able to link it to specific packaging and, when necessary, use it to demonstrate compliance.

Manufacturers are, for example, required to prepare technical documentation and an EU Declaration of Conformity. Following a reasoned request from a national authority, relevant documentation under Article 15 of the PPWR must be provided within 10 days.

And this is where the challenge can begin.

When data is scattered across excel files, emails and folders

The technical data sheet is with the supplier. The material specification is stored in another system. The Quality department holds the certificate. Product information is in the ERP system, while other data is maintained in Excel.

With dozens of packaging items, this may still be manageable manually. With hundreds or thousands of items, however, the administrative burden grows rapidly.

The solution does not necessarily have to be hiring more people.

The solution can be automation of the data flow:

Supplier → Technical data → Packaging material → Packaging → Product → PPWR requirements → Documentation

A suitable IT solution can centralise the data, automatically link it to specific packaging and products, flag missing information or documents, and prepare the necessary inputs for audits or reporting.

More regulation does not have to mean more administration

The key question is therefore not only: “Who will handle the new PPWR obligations?”

but also:

“Which tasks really need to be performed by people, and which can be handled by the system?”

Experts should focus on decision-making, assessing non-standard situations and managing compliance. They should not spend their time copying data, checking Excel files or searching for the latest version of a document.

Digitalisation can help companies manage growing regulatory requirements without having to increase staffing capacity at the same pace as the administrative workload.

Turning a PPWR obligation into an opportunity

PPWR can become an opportunity to create a single reliable source of packaging data that can be used across Procurement, Quality, Production, Logistics and Sustainability teams.

The result is not only easier compliance. It also means less manual work, a lower risk of errors, faster access to information and better control over data.

How can CodeArt help?

We can help you turn PPWR requirements into a functional digital process.

Together, we can:

• map your current PPWR data flow and identify missing data,
• connect supplier information with packaging and specific products,
• identify manual activities suitable for automation,
• design an IT solution for managing PPWR data and documentation,
• set up controls and reporting so that the information you need is available when you need it.

Would you like to see what a PPWR solution could look like in your company? Contact us and we will review your current process and explore opportunities for its digitalisation.