1. Start with your role and packaging flows
Which PPWR obligations apply to your organisation depends on factors such as your role in the supply chain, packaging type, market and specific activity. Map your packaging flows first rather than jumping to a blanket “compliant / non-compliant” conclusion.
- sales packaging that accompanies the product;
- shipping or e-commerce packaging you add yourself;
- filling material, tape, labels and other components;
- packaging already applied by suppliers.
2. Build one reliable packaging dataset
For a usable record, you want to know what each packaging component is, what it is made of, how much it weighs and from when that information applies.
| Data field | Example | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| SKU / component | SKU-123 · product box | Links sales and packaging |
| Material | Paper/cardboard | Material-level calculations and reporting |
| Weight | 42 g | Calculate quantities |
| Source | Supplier spec / own measurement | Traceability |
| Effective from | 2026-09-01 | Keep historical orders accurate |
| Order / country / year | #10482 · NL · 2026 | Filter and aggregate |
3. Do not forget shipping packaging
In e-commerce, the shipping package can vary by order. A small order may use a mailer while a larger one uses a box with tape and filling. Store these combinations as reusable shipping profiles and keep the profile that was actually used with the order.
Shipping profile: Box M
- Corrugated board: 182 g
- Plastic tape: 6 g
- Paper filling: 24 g
Effective from: 2026-09-014. Account for rules on excessive packaging
Article 24 of the PPWR sets a maximum 50% empty-space ratio for grouped, transport and e-commerce packaging. The application date is by 1 January 2030 or three years after the relevant implementing act enters into force, if later. The official calculation methodology is still to be established through an implementing act.
Preparation therefore starts with knowing which shipping packaging you use and having processes that can adapt when the final methodology is available. PackVerity does not currently claim to calculate this empty-space ratio.
5. Preserve history instead of only the latest value
If a supplier changes packaging weight, historical order totals should not silently change. Effective dates and snapshots let a 2026 report retain the assumptions that were actually used when the records were booked.
6. Practical WooCommerce workflow
- Inventory product and variation packaging.
- Create shipping profiles for common parcels.
- Record source, material, weight and effective date.
- Attach the relevant data to new orders.
- Review missing values and exceptions.
- Export totals by material, country and period for further assessment.
See where your dataset still has gaps
The free PPWR data readiness check does not determine legal compliance. It does show whether key building blocks for a traceable packaging record are present.