---
title: "PPWR grouped and transport packaging empty-space FAQ"
canonical_url: "https://www.sorena.io/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/faq/grouped-and-transport-packaging"
source_url: "https://www.sorena.io/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/faq/grouped-and-transport-packaging"
author: "Sorena AI"
description: "Answer whether grouped, transport, and e-commerce packaging need PPWR empty-space controls, what the 50% ratio covers, and what evidence to keep."
published_at: "2026-05-09"
updated_at: "2026-05-09"
keywords:
  - "PPWR"
  - "grouped packaging"
  - "transport packaging"
  - "e-commerce packaging"
  - "empty space ratio"
  - "Article 24"
  - "EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation"
---
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---

# PPWR grouped and transport packaging empty-space FAQ

Answer whether grouped, transport, and e-commerce packaging need PPWR empty-space controls, what the 50% ratio covers, and what evidence to keep.

*FAQ* *PPWR* *EU*

## PPWR grouped and transport packaging What does Article 24 require for empty space?

Grouped, transport, and e-commerce packaging are not just logistics details under PPWR; Article 24 sets an empty-space control for economic operators that fill those formats.

Use this FAQ to classify the format, check the 50% empty-space rule, identify exemptions, and keep technical evidence tied to the packaging design.

Under the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), teams should treat grouped packaging, transport packaging, and e-commerce packaging as packaging formats with specific minimisation and empty-space controls. The key operational question is whether your team fills one of those formats and, if so, whether the package design can meet Article 24 once the Commission's calculation methodology applies.

## What should teams do about grouped and transport packaging under PPWR?

Classify the packaging format first. PPWR defines grouped packaging as packaging that groups sales units at the point of sale, including shelf-restocking or stock-keeping groupings that can be removed without affecting the product. It defines transport packaging as packaging used to handle and transport one or more sales units or grouped units to prevent handling and transport damage, excluding road, rail, ship, and air containers.

If the format is grouped packaging, transport packaging, or e-commerce packaging, identify the economic operator that fills it and test the packaging design against Article 24's excessive-packaging rule. The practical owner is usually the team that controls case pack design, fulfilment carton selection, protective fill rules, pallet or bundle configuration, or e-commerce packing instructions.

- Map each packaging SKU or fulfilment configuration to sales, grouped, transport, or e-commerce packaging before applying the rule.
- For grouped, transport, and e-commerce packaging, record the filled-package volume, the volume of sales packaging inside it, and any protective or legal reason for the remaining space.
- Do not count paper cuttings, air cushions, bubble wrap, sponge fillers, foam fillers, wood wool, polystyrene, or Styrofoam chips as occupied product volume; Article 24 treats those filling materials as empty space.

Sources for this answer:

- [Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste](https://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2025/40/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Article 3 defines grouped, transport, and e-commerce packaging; Article 24 applies the excessive-packaging rule to economic operators who fill those formats.
- [Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/waste-and-recycling/packaging-waste/packaging-packaging-waste-regulation_en?ref=sorena.io) - The Commission overview frames PPWR as reducing unnecessary packaging waste and promoting smaller, lighter packaging with less empty space.

## What is the PPWR empty-space rule for these formats?

Article 24 says that, by 1 January 2030 or three years from the entry into force of the Commission implementing acts on the calculation method, whichever is later, economic operators who fill grouped packaging, transport packaging, or e-commerce packaging must keep the maximum empty-space ratio to 50%.

The rule is not a simple visual judgment. Article 24 defines empty space as the difference between the total volume of the grouped, transport, or e-commerce packaging and the volume of the sales packaging inside it. The empty-space ratio is that empty space divided by the total volume of the grouped, transport, or e-commerce packaging.

- Use the 50% ratio only for grouped, transport, and e-commerce packaging covered by Article 24(1).
- Wait for and apply the Commission implementing methodology for the calculation details; Article 24 requires it to account for legally required space, product protection, irregular shapes, liquid products, multi-product packs, fragile contents, small items that can be damaged by larger products, and shipment-label space.
- Keep sales-packaging minimisation separate: Article 24(4) requires sales packaging empty space to be reduced to the minimum necessary for packaging functionality, including product protection.

Sources for this answer:

- [Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste](https://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2025/40/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Article 24 sets the 50% maximum empty-space ratio and defines how empty space and the ratio are calculated for grouped, transport, and e-commerce packaging.

## Which exceptions and design constraints matter?

Do not remove protective or legally required space blindly. Article 24 instructs the Commission's calculation methodology to account for packaging that needs enough empty space to satisfy legal requirements or protect the product. That matters for irregular products, liquids, mixed sales packages, fragile contents, very small items, and shipment labels.

There is also an Article 24 exemption from the 50% grouped, transport, and e-commerce packaging ratio for economic operators using sales packaging as e-commerce packaging or using reusable packaging within a reuse system. The exemption does not remove the need to comply with the PPWR's packaging minimisation requirements.

- Document why any empty space remains: product protection, legal requirement, mixed contents, liquid handling, label placement, or another reason recognised by the methodology.
- If sales packaging is used directly as e-commerce packaging, record why Article 24(5) applies and still check the Article 10 minimisation requirements.
- If reusable packaging is used within a reuse system, keep the reuse-system evidence and do not treat the exemption as permission for avoidable excess volume.

Sources for this answer:

- [Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste](https://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2025/40/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Article 24 describes calculation-methodology factors, the exemption for sales packaging used as e-commerce packaging and reusable packaging in reuse systems, and the continuing link to Article 10.

## What evidence should teams retain for grouped and transport packaging?

Keep evidence that proves the classification, calculation, design constraint, and owner decision for each packaging configuration. Annex VII requires technical documentation to explain the assessment of the minimum packaging volume and weight necessary to ensure packaging functionality, including calculation details and reasons why further reduction would endanger that functionality.

The evidence file should let a reviewer trace the conclusion from a physical packaging configuration to the PPWR rule. It should also show when a packaging design, fulfilment rule, product mix, or reuse system changes enough to require review.

- Packaging-format classification: sales, grouped, transport, e-commerce, reusable, or sales packaging used as e-commerce packaging.
- Empty-space calculation record: total package volume, sales-packaging volume inside it, filling materials treated as empty space, and the resulting percentage where Article 24(1) applies.
- Design-constraint record: product-protection tests, shipment-label needs, legal requirements, liquid or fragile-product handling, irregular-shape rationale, or mixed-pack rationale.
- Technical documentation extract: the minimum necessary weight and volume assessment, including the reasons preventing further reduction.
- Change log: updates after packaging redesign, supplier change, fulfilment-rule change, reuse-system change, or adoption of the Commission calculation methodology

Sources for this answer:

- [Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste](https://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2025/40/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Annex VII requires technical documentation for the minimum packaging volume and weight assessment, including calculation details and reasons preventing further reduction.

## Primary sources

- [Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste](https://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2025/40/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Official PPWR text for definitions of grouped, transport, and e-commerce packaging; Article 24 empty-space controls; Article 10 minimisation links; Annex VII technical documentation; and Article 68 penalties.
  - Quote: "the maximum empty space ratio, expressed as a percentage, is 50 %."
- [Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/waste-and-recycling/packaging-waste/packaging-packaging-waste-regulation_en?ref=sorena.io) - European Commission overview explaining PPWR's policy aim to reduce unnecessary packaging waste and encourage smaller, lighter packaging without empty space.
  - Quote: "Small, light packaging without empty space."

## Topic Guides

- [EU PPWR Conformity Documentation Guide](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/conformity-documentation.md): Build PPWR technical documentation and EU declarations of conformity for packaging, with evidence fields, owner checks, retention rules, and official EU sources.
- [EU PPWR penalties and fines: Article 68 enforcement guide](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/penalties-and-fines.md): Source-grounded guide to PPWR penalties and fines: Article 68 Member State rules, administrative fines for Articles 24 to 29, market-surveillance action, formal non-compliance, and enforcement evidence.
- [PPWR applicability test: packaging scope, roles, and evidence](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/applicability-test.md): Determine whether the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation applies to a packaging item, market activity, operator role, and evidence workflow.
- [PPWR Article 12 labelling, QR codes, and digital carriers](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/labelling-qr-and-digital-carriers.md): source-linked guide to PPWR Article 12 packaging labels, reusable packaging QR codes, digital carriers, online-sale information, and evidence records.
- [PPWR Article 33 refill targets and take-away container reuse obligations](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/reuse-refill-targets.md): source-linked guide to PPWR reuse and refill targets for transport, grouped, beverage, and take-away packaging under Articles 29 to 33.
- [PPWR Article 5 PFAS and Restricted Substances Guide](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/pfas-and-restricted-substances.md): Grounded guide to PPWR Article 5 substance controls: substances of concern, the 100 mg/kg heavy-metal cap, PFAS limits for food-contact packaging, and technical-documentation evidence.
- [PPWR Article 5 PFAS Evidence Workflow for Food-Contact Packaging](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/pfas-evidence-workflow.md): Build a PPWR Article 5 evidence workflow for food-contact packaging PFAS checks, limit-value evidence, supplier proof, and Annex VII technical documentation.
- [PPWR compliance checklist for packaging teams](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/checklist.md): source-linked PPWR checklist for packaging scope, recyclability, recycled content, PFAS, minimisation, labelling, conformity files, and EPR registration under Regulation (EU) 2025/40.
- [PPWR compliance guide: packaging conformity, EPR and evidence](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/compliance.md): Build a PPWR compliance workflow for packaging placed on the EU market, covering Articles 5-12 controls, conformity assessment, technical files, declarations, labelling, EPR and evidence.
- [PPWR compostable packaging rules: what must be compostable?](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/faq/compostable-packaging.md): A PPWR FAQ on compostable packaging: mandatory compostable formats, Member State options, recycling default rules, labels, and evidence to retain.
- [PPWR deadlines and compliance calendar](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/deadlines-and-compliance-calendar.md): Calendar-style PPWR deadline guide for application, PFAS, labelling, recyclability, recycled content, reuse, refill, deposit return, reporting, and transition dates.
- [PPWR delegated and implementing act tracker](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/delegated-act-tracking.md): Track PPWR delegated and implementing acts for recyclability, recycled content, reuse, labelling, EPR, reporting, and evidence owners.
- [PPWR e-commerce packaging rules: empty space, labels, and reuse](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/faq/e-commerce-packaging.md): source-linked FAQ for online sellers and fulfilment teams applying PPWR rules to e-commerce packaging, including empty-space, labelling, reuse, and evidence records.
- [PPWR Economic Operator Roles: manufacturers, importers, distributors and producers](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/economic-operator-roles.md): Map PPWR roles for packaging teams: manufacturer conformity files, importer and distributor checks, supplier data, fulfilment handling, traceability, and EPR producer registration.
- [PPWR EPR and Producer Responsibility Guide](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/epr-and-producer-responsibility.md): Map PPWR EPR duties for producers, authorised representatives, producer responsibility organisations, online platforms, registrations, reporting and evidence under Regulation (EU) 2025/40.
- [PPWR FAQ: Scope, Recyclability, Reuse, Labelling, and EPR](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/faq.md): FAQ index for Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste, covering PPWR scope, recyclability, recycled content, minimisation, reuse, labelling, EPR, and evidence.
- [PPWR labelling and consumer information requirements](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/labeling-and-consumer-info.md): Article 12 and Article 55 PPWR guidance for packaging labels, QR codes, online sales information, waste receptacle labels, and consumer information records.
- [PPWR labelling checklist for Articles 12 and 13](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/ppwr-labeling-checklist.md): Checklist for PPWR Article 12 packaging labels and Article 13 waste-receptacle labels, including material composition, reuse, DRS, digital carriers, online sales, and transition stock.
- [PPWR labelling dates: when do packaging labels apply?](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/faq/labelling-dates.md): A PPWR FAQ on Article 12 and Article 13 labelling dates for packaging, reusable packaging, recycled-content labels, QR codes, waste receptacles, and implementation acts.
- [PPWR labelling rollout workflow for Article 12 and 13](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/labelling-rollout-workflow.md): source-linked workflow for rolling out PPWR Article 12 packaging labels, QR codes, reusable packaging labels, recycled-content labels, and Article 13 waste-receptacle labels.
- [PPWR micro-enterprise and small business FAQ](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/faq/micro-and-small-business-edge-cases.md): source-linked FAQ on PPWR micro-enterprise and small business edge cases, including manufacturer responsibility, reuse exemptions, packaging restrictions, refill, and evidence records.
- [PPWR packaging classification guide: sales, grouped, transport and e-commerce packaging](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/packaging-classification.md): Classify PPWR packaging by function, material category, format, reuse status and operator role before assessing recyclability, restrictions, EPR and documentation.
- [PPWR Packaging Minimisation Guide: Article 10 Evidence](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/minimization.md): source-linked PPWR packaging minimisation guide covering Article 10, Annex IV evidence, perceived-volume bans, empty-space rules, and technical documentation.
- [PPWR packaging scope workflow: classify packaging, roles, and evidence](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/packaging-scope-workflow.md): A PPWR packaging scope workflow for classifying packaging, assigning economic-operator roles, routing EPR questions, and keeping technical evidence.
- [PPWR PFAS Rules for Food-Contact Packaging](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/pfas-and-food-contact-packaging.md): source-linked guide to PPWR Article 5 PFAS limits for food-contact packaging, including the 12 August 2026 date, thresholds, and evidence records.
- [PPWR PFAS Thresholds for Food-Contact Packaging](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/faq/pfas-thresholds.md): Direct FAQ on the PPWR Article 5 PFAS limits for food-contact packaging, including the 25 ppb, 250 ppb, and 50 ppm thresholds.
- [PPWR Recyclability and Design-for-Recycling Requirements](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/recyclability-and-design-requirements.md): Article 6 PPWR guide to packaging recyclability grades, Annex II packaging categories, design-for-recycling parameters, recycled-at-scale assessment, and evidence files.
- [PPWR Recyclability Assessment Template](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/ppwr-recyclability-assessment-template.md): Use this PPWR recyclability assessment template to record packaging category, DfR parameters, performance grade evidence, recycled-at-scale evidence, and approval owners.
- [PPWR Recyclability Assessment Workflow | Article 6 and Annex II](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/recyclability-assessment-workflow.md): Assess PPWR recyclability by packaging unit: map the Annex II category, screen design-for-recycling parameters, grade the result, and retain Annex VII evidence.
- [PPWR recyclability grades A, B and C explained](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/recyclability-grades.md): Understand PPWR recyclability grades under Article 6 and Annex II, including design-for-recycling thresholds, 2030, 2035 and 2038 timing, and evidence records.
- [PPWR recycled content calculations: Article 7 FAQ](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/faq/recycled-content-calculations.md): A PPWR FAQ on recycled content calculations for plastic packaging: Article 7 scope, manufacturing-plant averages, Commission methodology timing, exceptions, and evidence.
- [PPWR Recycled Content Targets for Plastic Packaging](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/recycled-content-targets.md): Article 7 PPWR targets for recycled content in plastic packaging, including 2030 and 2040 percentages, calculation basis, exclusions, and evidence records.
- [PPWR requirements overview for EU packaging teams](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/requirements.md): A grounded overview of Regulation (EU) 2025/40 requirements for packaging scope, recyclability, recycled content, minimisation, labelling, reuse, EPR, and conformity evidence.
- [PPWR reusable packaging and re-use systems FAQ](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/faq/reusable-systems.md): Answer when packaging can be treated as reusable under PPWR, what re-use systems must include, and what evidence teams should keep.
- [PPWR reuse and refill targets: Article 29 and take-away duties](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/reuse-and-refill-targets.md): source-linked guide to PPWR reuse targets for transport, grouped, beverage, and take-away packaging, including Article 29, 32, 33, reporting, and exemptions.
- [PPWR reuse target applicability workflow: Article 29 and 33](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/reuse-target-applicability-workflow.md): source-linked workflow to decide whether PPWR Article 29 reuse targets, Article 32 refill duties, and Article 33 take-away reusable offers apply.
- [PPWR scope and packaging definitions: Article 2 and Article 3 guide](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/scope-and-packaging-definitions.md): Use PPWR Article 2 and Article 3 to decide whether an item is packaging, classify sales, grouped, transport, e-commerce and service packaging, and record source-linked evidence.
- [PPWR service packaging FAQ: point-of-sale and takeaway rules](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/faq/service-packaging.md): Service packaging under the EU PPWR means items designed to be filled at the point of sale. See scope, takeaway, HORECA refill and reuse, and evidence checks.
- [PPWR vs ESPR: Packaging Rules vs Product Ecodesign](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/ppwr-vs-espr.md): Compare PPWR and ESPR without mixing duties: PPWR controls packaging and packaging waste, while ESPR is a separate sustainable-product ecodesign framework that PPWR complements.
- [PPWR vs REACH: Packaging Waste vs Chemicals Rules](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/ppwr-vs-reach.md): Compare PPWR packaging duties with the narrow REACH boundary confirmed in PPWR sources: substances in packaging, PFAS, recyclability, labelling, EPR, evidence, and dates.
- [PPWR vs RoHS: Packaging vs EEE Compliance](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/ppwr-vs-rohs.md): Compare PPWR packaging duties with a separate RoHS workstream, including scope, owners, evidence, dates, overlap limits, and source-linked PPWR decision points.
- [PPWR vs Single-Use Plastics Directive: Packaging Scope and Overlap](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/ppwr-vs-sup-directive.md): Compare PPWR and the Single-Use Plastics Directive without merging duties: all-packaging PPWR rules, listed single-use plastic product rules, overlap, evidence, and 2030 changes.
- [PPWR vs Waste Framework Directive: Packaging Duties and WFD Links](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/ppwr-vs-waste-framework-directive.md): Compare PPWR with the Waste Framework Directive where the PPWR text expressly relies on WFD concepts: waste hierarchy, definitions, EPR, collection, traceability, and waste plans.
- [Timeline and Deadlines for PPWR: practical implementation guide](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/timeline-and-deadlines.md): Practical PPWR guidance for Timeline and Deadlines, with source-linked decisions, owners, evidence records, and implementation steps.

*Recommended next step*

*Placement: after evidence section*

## Turn PPWR packaging minimisation into evidence

Use Sorena to classify grouped, transport, and e-commerce packaging, track Article 24 empty-space evidence, and keep source citations with the packaging record.

- [Open Research Copilot](/solutions/research-copilot.md): Answer PPWR implementation questions with cited source material.
- [Discuss PPWR implementation](/contact.md): Review packaging scope, source evidence, and implementation steps with Sorena.


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Source: https://www.sorena.io/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/faq/grouped-and-transport-packaging