--- title: "PPWR Recyclability Assessment Workflow" canonical_url: "https://www.sorena.io/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/recyclability-assessment-workflow" source_url: "https://www.sorena.io/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/recyclability-assessment-workflow" author: "Sorena AI" description: "Assess PPWR recyclability by packaging unit: map the Annex II category, screen design-for-recycling parameters, grade the result, and retain Annex VII evidence." published_at: "2026-05-09" updated_at: "2026-05-27" keywords: - "PPWR recyclability assessment" - "Article 6 PPWR" - "Annex II PPWR" - "design for recycling" - "recyclability performance grades" - "recycled at scale" - "Annex VII technical documentation" - "PPWR" - "Regulation (EU) 2025/40" - "Article 6" - "Annex II" - "recyclable packaging" --- **[SORENA](https://www.sorena.io/)** - AI-Powered GRC Platform [Home](https://www.sorena.io/) | [Solutions](https://www.sorena.io/solutions) | [Artifacts](https://www.sorena.io/artifacts) | [About Us](https://www.sorena.io/about-us) | [Contact](https://www.sorena.io/contact) | [Portal](https://app.sorena.io) --- # PPWR Recyclability Assessment Workflow 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* *Workflow* *Article 6* ## PPWR Article 6 Recyclability Assessment Workflow A packaging-unit workflow for checking whether a PPWR recyclability file is ready for design-for-recycling assessment and later recycled-at-scale evidence. Use it to connect Annex II categories, component data, JRC design parameters, performance grades, and Annex VII technical documentation. PPWR recyclability assessment starts with the packaging unit, not with a generic material claim. Article 6 requires packaging placed on the EU market to be recyclable, first through design-for-recycling criteria and later through recycled-at-scale evidence. This workflow turns that rule into an evidence file that packaging, regulatory, sustainability, and procurement teams can maintain per SKU or packaging family. ## Start with the Article 6 assessment boundary Create one assessment record for the exact packaging unit being placed on the market. Record the product, SKU or packaging family, market boundary, manufacturer or importer, packaging function, and whether the unit contains integrated or separate components. Article 6 separates the legal test into two conditions: the packaging must be designed for material recycling, and when it becomes waste it must be separately collectable, sortable into specific waste streams, and recycled at scale under the later methodology. - Boundary field: sales, grouped, transport, or e-commerce packaging unit covered by the assessment. - Component field: main body, labels, sleeves, closures, liners, seals, valves, coatings, adhesives, inserts, handles, and any component likely to separate during transport or sorting. - Role field: manufacturer, importer, distributor, producer-responsibility owner, packaging engineer, and technical-documentation approver. - Trigger field: new packaging design, material change, supplier change, label or sleeve change, recycled-content change, market launch, or authority/customer evidence request. - Legal test field: design-for-recycling status under Article 6(2)(a) and recycled-at-scale readiness under Article 6(2)(b). Sources for this answer: - [Regulation (EU) 2025/40 (PPWR)](https://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2025/40/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Article 6 sets the two-part recyclability test and requires the manufacturer to assess packaging recyclability on the basis of delegated and implementing acts. - [European Commission PPWR overview](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/waste-and-recycling/packaging-waste/packaging-packaging-waste-regulation_en?ref=sorena.io) - Commission overview confirming PPWR's policy objective to cut packaging waste and make packaging more recyclable across the EU. *Recommended next step* *Placement: after evidence section* ## Turn PPWR recyclability rules into an evidence workflow Use this PPWR workflow to connect Article 6, Annex II categories, design parameters, grades, and technical documentation before packaging designs move into release. - [Open Research Copilot](/solutions/research-copilot.md): Answer PPWR implementation questions with cited source material. - [Discuss PPWR implementation](/contact.md): Review packaging scope, recyclability evidence, and next implementation steps with Sorena. ## Map the packaging to Annex II before scoring Assign the packaging to the closest Annex II Table 1 category before applying design criteria. The category determines which material stream, design criteria, and later recycled-at-scale data will be relevant. For composite or multi-material packaging, record the predominant material and the reason the selected category fits. Where separate components must be assessed separately, keep the category and evidence for each component rather than averaging the whole pack into one unsupported score. - Use Annex II Table 1 for the packaging-material category, including glass, paper/cardboard, metal, plastic, wood/cork, textile, and ceramics or porcelain stoneware categories. - Use Annex II Table 2 to prepare the recycled-at-scale data grouping, including plastic subgroups, paper/cardboard, liquid packaging board, aluminium, steel, glass, wood/cork, and other categories. - Record colour or optical-transmittance information where Annex II distinguishes plastic categories by natural, coloured, opaque, transparent, or other optical characteristics. - Flag category uncertainty when the product uses composites, biodegradable plastics, unusual rigid plastics, flexible multi-material films, textile, ceramic, or porcelain packaging. - Do not assign a recyclability grade until the packaging-category mapping and component inventory are complete. Sources for this answer: - [Regulation (EU) 2025/40 (PPWR)](https://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2025/40/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Annex II Tables 1 and 2 list the packaging categories used for Article 6 design-for-recycling and recycled-at-scale assessments. ## Screen design-for-recycling parameters Run the design review against the physical features that affect collection, sorting, recycling yield, and secondary raw-material quality. Annex II Table 4 provides the legal parameter list for setting design-for-recycling criteria, and the JRC report gives a practical technical taxonomy for collecting the same evidence before the delegated acts are applied. Treat the JRC report as technical preparation, not as a substitute for the future legal methodology. Its value for an internal workflow is the structured inventory of elements and parameters: predominant material, decoration and branding, closing and opening systems, and other design features. - Predominant material: material origin, composite layers, colour or optical transmittance, additives or fillers, and barriers or coatings. - Decoration and branding: coding, inks, lacquers, varnishes, label or sleeve materials, and label or sleeve coverage of the main body. - Closing and opening systems: tamper-evident elements, closures, openings, liners, seals, valves, and their compatibility with the main recycling stream. - Other design features: adhesives, packaging dimensions, separability, ease of dismantling, product residues, recycled content, biodegradable-material content, integrated components, and separate components. - Evidence to attach: bill of materials, supplier specifications, drawings, artwork files, label and adhesive specifications, residue-emptying rationale, sorting/recycling test reports, and the selected material-stream guidance used by the packaging team. Sources for this answer: - [Regulation (EU) 2025/40 (PPWR)](https://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2025/40/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Annex II Table 4 identifies parameters to consider when design-for-recycling criteria are set under Article 6. - [JRC technical recommendations on packaging recyclability](https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2760/538070?ref=sorena.io) - JRC report explaining a preparatory methodology based on mapping design-for-recycling guidelines and stakeholder validation of elements, parameters, and sub-parameters. ## Grade the result and identify stop points Record the grade only after the applicable design-for-recycling criteria and methodology are available for the selected packaging category. Annex II describes grades A, B, and C by design-for-recycling weighting, and Article 6 links market access to those grades on the dates set in the Regulation. Use stop points to prevent unsupported product-release claims. A pack should not be described internally or externally as PPWR-ready when the category is unresolved, the component assessment is incomplete, the grade is only assumed, or recycled-at-scale evidence is missing for the later assessment. - Grade A: design-for-recycling assessment higher than or equal to 95 percent under Annex II Table 3. - Grade B: design-for-recycling assessment higher than or equal to 80 percent under Annex II Table 3. - Grade C: design-for-recycling assessment higher than or equal to 70 percent under Annex II Table 3. - Technically non-recyclable: design-for-recycling assessment below 70 percent under Annex II Table 3. - Stop if separate or integrated components hinder the recyclability of the main body or cannot be evidenced against established collection, sorting, and recycling processes. Sources for this answer: - [Regulation (EU) 2025/40 (PPWR)](https://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2025/40/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Article 6 and Annex II Table 3 define the recyclability grades, market-access consequences, and component-level assessment requirements. ## Build the Annex VII evidence file Close each assessment with a technical-documentation package that can be reused for supplier reviews, conformity work, producer-responsibility fee modulation, market surveillance questions, and customer evidence requests. The file should distinguish current design-for-recycling evidence from future recycled-at-scale evidence. Article 6 requires technical documentation for compliance with the recyclable-packaging requirements, while the recycled-at-scale methodology and chain-of-custody mechanism are to be set through implementing acts. - Assessment summary: packaging unit, category, component list, selected Article 6 condition, grade status, and unresolved assumptions. - Design evidence: materials, colours, additives, coatings, labels, sleeves, closures, adhesives, dismantling, residue-emptying, and sorting or recycling evidence. - Authority-ready evidence: source clause, delegated-act or implementing-act reference when available, test or supplier document, version date, owner, approver, and review trigger. - Recycled-at-scale readiness: quantities and downstream data sources needed to support the later methodology, including collected waste sent to sorting and recycling facilities where available. - Change control: reassess when a component, supplier, artwork, adhesive, coating, material grade, manufacturing process, or market placement changes. Sources for this answer: - [Regulation (EU) 2025/40 (PPWR)](https://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2025/40/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Article 6 requires compliance evidence in the technical documentation and describes the recycled-at-scale chain-of-custody elements for implementing acts. - [JRC technical recommendations on packaging recyclability](https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2760/538070?ref=sorena.io) - JRC report supports the evidence taxonomy for recyclability files, including material, decoration, closure, adhesive, residue, and component parameters. ## Primary sources - [Regulation (EU) 2025/40 (PPWR)](https://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2025/40/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Primary legal source for Article 6 recyclable-packaging obligations, Annex II packaging categories, recyclability performance grades, component assessment, and technical-documentation evidence. - Quote: "All packaging placed on the market shall be recyclable." - [JRC technical recommendations on packaging recyclability](https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2760/538070?ref=sorena.io) - Technical source for a practical evidence taxonomy based on mapped design-for-recycling guidelines, stakeholder consultation, and proposed recyclability-assessment elements and parameters. - Quote: "4 elements and 19 parameters" - [European Commission PPWR overview](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/waste-and-recycling/packaging-waste/packaging-packaging-waste-regulation_en?ref=sorena.io) - Commission overview used for policy context on PPWR waste-reduction, recyclability, reuse, recycled-content, and labelling measures. - Quote: "Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation" ## Related 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 grouped and transport packaging empty-space FAQ](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/faq/grouped-and-transport-packaging.md): Answer whether grouped, transport, and e-commerce packaging need PPWR empty-space controls, what the 50% ratio covers, and what evidence to keep. - [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 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. --- [Privacy Policy](https://www.sorena.io/privacy) | [Terms of Use](https://www.sorena.io/terms-of-use) | [DMCA](https://www.sorena.io/dmca) | [About Us](https://www.sorena.io/about-us) (c) 2026 Sorena AB (559573-7338). 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