Ensure at least 10% of grouped packaging in the form of boxes, excluding cardboard, is reusable within a re-use system, rising to an endeavour of 25% from 2040.

Economic operators using grouped packaging boxes must comply, and this is law in force.

Why it matters

This is law in force, not a proposal.

It is Art. 29(5), in the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. as of 2026-08-18
The act gives its timing as: From 1 January 2030; 25% endeavour from 1 January 2040 (Art. 29(5)). as of 2026-08-18
It names 2 industries by name: Retail and Food and drink. as of 2026-08-18
Compliance is checked by competent authority, on the Art. 31 report, annual, per calendar year. as of 2026-08-18

Addressee Economic operators using grouped packaging boxesAct Regulation (EU) 2025/40, base actArticle Art. 29(5)Class Businesses

What changes

Note the cardboard exclusion: this target pushes against plastic crates and boxes specifically, and leaves fibre-based grouped packaging outside it.

The rule

New — no predecessor

Trigger

use of non-cardboard grouped packaging boxes

Obligation

Ensure at least 10% of grouped packaging in the form of boxes, excluding cardboard, is reusable within a re-use system, rising to an endeavour of 25% from 2040.

Who is affected

Addressee

Economic operators using grouped packaging boxes

Class

Businesses

Sectors

Names Retail and distribution, Food, drink and tobacco · Reaches Plastics converting, Waste and landfill

Applies

From 1 January 2030; 25% endeavour from 1 January 2040 (Art. 29(5))

Burden drivers

D4 · D5 — 2 of 7 marks fire on this provision.

Same Art. 29(13) micro-enterprise and 1 000 kg carve-out as RTG-01.

Source text

Verbatim

economic operators that use grouped packaging in the form of boxes, excluding cardboard, outside of sales packaging to group a certain number of products to create a stock-keeping or distribution unit shall ensure that at least 10 % of such packaging is reusable packaging within a re-use system.

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