---
title: "Labelling and Consumer Information"
canonical_url: "https://www.sorena.io/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/labeling-and-consumer-info"
source_url: "https://www.sorena.io/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/labeling-and-consumer-info"
author: "Sorena AI"
description: "A practical PPWR labelling guide for Regulation (EU) 2025/40: harmonised composition labels (Article 12), reusable packaging labels + QR/digital carriers."
published_at: "2026-02-21"
updated_at: "2026-02-21"
keywords:
  - "PPWR labelling requirements"
  - "Article 12 labelling of packaging"
  - "harmonised label material composition PPWR 2028"
  - "reusable packaging label PPWR 2029"
  - "QR code digital data carrier PPWR"
  - "digital marking material composition PPWR 2026"
  - "substances of concern digital marking PPWR 2030"
  - "Article 13 waste receptacle labels"
  - "deposit return system label PPWR"
  - "PPWR"
  - "Labelling"
  - "Digital marking"
  - "Article 12"
  - "Article 13"
---
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---

# Labelling and Consumer Information

A practical PPWR labelling guide for Regulation (EU) 2025/40: harmonised composition labels (Article 12), reusable packaging labels + QR/digital carriers.

*Article 12-13* *Labelling*

## EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) Labelling and Consumer Information

Build labels and digital marking workflows you can scale across SKUs.

Output: compliant artwork, QR/digital payloads, and a release process with evidence.

PPWR labelling is not just a marketing exercise - it is a harmonised system designed to improve sorting, enable reuse systems, and communicate deposit-and-return requirements. The risk is twofold: (1) non-compliant labels and (2) confusing or misleading labels that create enforcement and consumer-trust issues. Use this page to implement Article 12-13 as a release-ready workflow.

## What PPWR requires for packaging labels (Article 12)

Article 12 introduces a harmonised label containing information on material composition to facilitate consumer sorting, plus specific requirements for compostable packaging messaging and deposit-bearing packaging labels.

- Harmonised composition label: packaging placed on the market must carry the label from 12 Aug 2028 or 24 months after implementing acts (whichever is later).
- Compostable packaging label: for specified compostable packaging, the label must indicate compostable, not suitable for home composting, and not to be discarded in nature.
- DRS marking: packaging subject to deposit-and-return systems must be marked with a clear, unambiguous label; a harmonised colour label may be introduced via implementing acts.
- Digital option: economic operators may include a QR code or other standardised, open digital data carrier with guidance on disposal destinations for components.

## Reusable packaging labelling (and why QR/digital carriers matter)

Reusable packaging has additional labelling requirements and is expected to support tracking/rotation calculation where feasible.

- Reusable label: reusable packaging placed on the market from 12 Feb 2029 (or 30 months after implementing acts) must bear a label informing users that it is reusable.
- QR/digital carrier: provide information on reuse systems, collection points, and (where feasible) tracking of trips/rotations.
- Point-of-sale differentiation: reusable sales packaging should be clearly distinguished from single-use packaging.
- Edge case: open-loop systems without a system operator can have specific derogations; document which model you use.

## Digital marking methodologies (composition + substances of concern)

PPWR anticipates standardised, open digital marking technologies to identify material composition and (later) substances of concern. Design your data model now so you're not rebuilding later.

- By 12 Aug 2026: implementing acts establish methodology for identifying material composition via digital marking (including composite packaging and components).
- By 1 Jan 2030: implementing acts establish methodology for identifying substances of concern via digital marking (including name and concentration per material).
- Practical implication: build a packaging data model that can carry composition, component destination, and substances metadata per component.

## Waste receptacle labels (Article 13): align consumer labels with bin labels

Member States must ensure harmonised labels are affixed/printed/engraved on packaging waste receptacles, aligned with packaging labels.

- Phase-in: by 12 Aug 2028 or 30 months after implementing acts (whichever is later), receptacles must carry harmonised labels.
- Implementing acts: by 12 Aug 2026, the Commission adopts specifications for receptacle labelling formats.
- Operational implication: ensure packaging label claims and consumer instructions match actual collection systems in your target markets.

## Build a labelling release workflow (what 'done' means)

Treat labelling as a controlled release: artwork is evidence. If you can't show a decision record and a data payload, you can't defend the label.

- Artwork control: approved label variants per SKU/market, with versioning and traceability.
- Digital payload control: QR/data carrier destinations, languages, and accessibility checks.
- Claims control: avoid misleading labels; if you make environmental claims, ensure they exceed minimum legal requirements and are properly scoped.
- Evidence pack: store implementing-act references used, internal approvals, and samples/photos for each released label variant.

*Recommended next step*

*Placement: near the end of the main content before related guides*

## Operationalize EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) Labelling and Consumer Information across ESG workflows

ESG Compliance can take EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) Labelling and Consumer Information from operationalizing this sustainability obligation across workflows and reporting to a reusable workflow inside Sorena. Teams working on EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) can keep owners, evidence, and next steps aligned without copying this guide into separate documents.

- [Open ESG Compliance for EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) Labelling and Consumer Information](/solutions/esg-compliance.md): Start from EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) Labelling and Consumer Information and manage cross team sustainability work, reporting, and evidence from one workflow.
- [Talk through EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)](/contact.md): Review your current process, evidence gaps, and next steps for EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) Labelling and Consumer Information.

## Primary sources

- [Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste (EUR-Lex)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2025/40/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Primary source for Article 12 packaging labels, Article 13 waste receptacle labels, and the implementing act timelines.
- [European Commission - Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation overview](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/waste-and-recycling/packaging-waste/packaging-packaging-waste-regulation_en?ref=sorena.io) - Policy overview and high-level implementation context.
- [Register of delegated and implementing acts (European Commission)](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/regdel/?ref=sorena.io) - Track labelling and digital marking implementing acts under PPWR.

## Related Topic Guides

- [Applicability Test | EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) | Regulation (EU) 2025/40 Scope + Roles](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/applicability-test.md): A practical PPWR applicability test for Regulation (EU) 2025/40: determine whether an item is packaging.
- [PFAS and Restricted Substances | EU PPWR (Regulation (EU) 2025/40) | Article 5 PFAS Thresholds for Food-Contact Packaging](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/pfas-and-restricted-substances.md): A practical PPWR chemicals guide for Regulation (EU) 2025/40 Article 5: minimise substances of concern, comply with heavy metals limits.
- [PPWR Compliance Checklist | EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2025/40)](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/checklist.md): An audit-ready PPWR compliance checklist for Regulation (EU) 2025/40: scope your packaging portfolio, map Article 5-7 materials rules (PFAS, heavy metals.
- [PPWR Compliance Guide | EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2025/40) | Evidence, Conformity, Enforcement](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/compliance.md): A practical PPWR compliance guide for Regulation (EU) 2025/40: how to structure a defensible compliance program, what 'conformity' means for packaging.
- [PPWR Deadlines and Compliance Calendar | Regulation (EU) 2025/40 | 11 February 2025, 12 August 2026, 1 January 2030](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/deadlines-and-compliance-calendar.md): A practical PPWR deadlines and compliance calendar for Regulation (EU) 2025/40: entry into force on 11 February 2025, application from 12 August 2026.
- [PPWR FAQ | Regulation (EU) 2025/40 Packaging and Packaging Waste Questions (Dates, PFAS, Labelling, Reuse Targets)](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/faq.md): A source-grounded PPWR FAQ for Regulation (EU) 2025/40: when it applies (12 Aug 2026), what changes in 2030 (empty space 50%, Annex V restrictions.
- [PPWR Labelling Checklist | EU PPWR (Regulation (EU) 2025/40) | Article 12-13 Labels + QR/Digital Carriers](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/ppwr-labeling-checklist.md): An audit-ready PPWR labelling checklist: composition labels (Article 12), reusable packaging labels and QR/digital carriers, deposit-and-return marking.
- [PPWR Penalties and Fines | Regulation (EU) 2025/40 Article 68 Enforcement and Administrative Fines](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/penalties-and-fines.md): A practical PPWR enforcement and penalties guide for Regulation (EU) 2025/40: what Article 68 requires (Member State penalties rules by 12 Feb 2027.
- [PPWR Recyclability Assessment Template | Regulation (EU) 2025/40 | Article 6 Evidence Pack + Grade A/B/C](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/ppwr-recyclability-assessment-template.md): A copyable PPWR recyclability assessment template for Regulation (EU) 2025/40 Article 6: packaging unit inputs (BOM, components, predominant material).
- [PPWR Timeline and Deadlines | Regulation (EU) 2025/40 Roadmap | 2025 to 2040](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/timeline-and-deadlines.md): A phased PPWR roadmap for Regulation (EU) 2025/40: entry into force in February 2025, application from August 2026, key implementing acts in 2026 to 2028.
- [PPWR vs ESPR | Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (EU) 2025/40 vs Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (EU) 2024/1781](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/ppwr-vs-espr.md): A practical guide to PPWR vs ESPR: PPWR (Regulation (EU) 2025/40) sets packaging-specific rules (recyclability, labelling, PFAS, reuse/refill, empty space.
- [Recyclability and Design Requirements | EU PPWR (Regulation (EU) 2025/40) | Article 6 Recyclability Grades A/B/C + Design-for-Recycling](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/recyclability-and-design-requirements.md): A practical Article 6 guide for PPWR recyclability: how to assess design-for-recycling, treat integrated vs separate components.
- [Requirements | EU PPWR (Regulation (EU) 2025/40) | Recyclability (Article 6), Recycled Content (Article 7), Labelling (Article 12), PFAS (Article 5)](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/requirements.md): A practical PPWR requirements breakdown for Regulation (EU) 2025/40: Article 5 substance and PFAS limits.
- [Reuse and Refill Targets | EU PPWR (Regulation (EU) 2025/40) | Article 28-33 Refill Rules, Article 29 Reuse Targets (40% 2030, 70% 2040)](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/reuse-refill-targets.md): A practical PPWR reuse and refill guide for Regulation (EU) 2025/40: Article 28 refill rules, Article 29 reuse targets for transport packaging.
- [Scope and Packaging Definitions | EU PPWR (Regulation (EU) 2025/40) | Sales vs Grouped vs Transport vs E-commerce](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/scope-and-packaging-definitions.md): A practical PPWR scope and definitions guide: what counts as packaging, how to classify sales/grouped/transport/e-commerce packaging, take-away packaging.


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