KOTRA recently conducted a webinar titled "Responding to the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)," addressing the new environmental regulations set to impact companies exporting to the European Union. With the PPWR officially applied beginning August 12, it is crucial for exporting companies to ensure thorough preparation.
The event, held online on the 20th, attracted over 500 representatives from domestic export companies, reflecting significant interest in understanding the implications of the new regulations. The webinar aimed to reduce practical confusion for companies by providing detailed insights into the requirements of the PPWR.
KOTRA presented key content regarding the PPWR along with the EU Commission's second FAQ and recent interpretation of regulations released on August 3. This was intended to help companies accurately grasp the latest regulatory developments.
The Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the European Union provided an overview of the EU's circular economy policy direction and recent legislative trends. Subsequently, the KOTRA Brussels office elaborated on the fundamental obligations of the PPWR, including criteria for determining packaging relevance, obligations for various economic entities, labeling requirements, and registration for the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
Furthermore, case studies of local EU company responses and enforcement trends were shared, showing how companies are assessing packaging composition and supply chain information, as well as verifying required documentation and markings. Attendees were reminded to be mindful of different compliance obligations based on roles as manufacturers, importers, and distributors, and to thoroughly examine packaging design and materials in preparation for future labeling and recycling guidelines.
During the pre-event Q&A session, KOTRA addressed various industry queries related to technical documentation (TD) and declaration of conformity (DoC) preparation, packaging scope, heavy metals and PFAS testing verification, inventory management, assessment of economic operator roles, EPR registration, and labeling requirements. KOTRA guided participants on the application criteria of the PPWR and offered detailed responses to questions, advising companies to establish a system for documenting compliance through gathering information on materials, weights, and components of packaging items.
KOTRA’s Europe Regional Headquarters Director, Kim Yeon-jae, noted, "In the initial stages of regulation implementation, there may be significant practical confusion regarding the detailed guidelines for companies." He further emphasized KOTRA's commitment to swiftly tracking the latest regulations through local European operations and disseminating this information to assist companies in entering the EU market successfully.
