This glossary covers the terminology you will encounter across the PPWR guides, the Carbonorm app, member-state implementing acts, and supplier declarations. Regulation-defined terms carry the Article or Annex they come from; where a term has its own deep-dive, the entry links to it.

A B C D E F G H I L M N O P R S T U V W

A

Ancillary element: A component integrated into a packaging item, or an element hung directly on or attached to a product, that performs a packaging function without being an integral part of the product. Art. 3(1)(b)–(c)
Annex II: The annex of PPWR (Regulation (EU) 2025/40) defining the methodology to assess a packaging item’s recyclability. Uses a worst-of approach: every component is graded independently and the worst component sets the overall grade. See Article 6 — Design for Recycling.
Annex V: The annex listing six restricted single-use plastic packaging formats banned from the EU market from 1 January 2030 (grouped collation films, fruit and vegetable packaging under 1.5 kg, HORECA on-premise packaging, portion sachets, accommodation toiletries, very lightweight carrier bags). Art. 25(1), Annex V
Authorised representative: Any natural or legal person established within the Union who has received a written mandate from a manufacturer to act on their behalf for tasks related to compliance under this Regulation. Art. 3(1)(12) context; Art. 45(3)

B

Beverage bottle (single-use plastic): A single-use plastic bottle for beverages, subject to specific PCR targets (30% by 2030, 65% by 2040) and to the 90% separate collection and deposit-return requirement. Art. 7(1)(c), 7(2)(c), Art. 50(1)(a)
Beverage carton: Mentioned in the DRS context: Member States shall endeavour to establish deposit and return systems for beverage cartons. Art. 50(8)

C

CEP: Cepi — Confederation of European Paper Industries. The established industry body for paper recyclability assessment, whose method aligns with the Annex II criteria. Publishes the Recyclability Laboratory Test Method.
Chain of custody: The documented sequence of custody, transfer, and verification of recycled material from source to final packaging product, used to substantiate Article 7 recycled-content claims via mass balance.
CITEO: The French Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) that operates the household-packaging EPR scheme. Modulates fees by recyclability grade and recycled-content disclosure.
Combined Nomenclature (CN): The EU customs classification system referenced in the PPWR to define exempt beverage categories (for example CN codes 2202, 2206, 2208). Art. 29(7), Art. 50(4)
Compostable plastic packaging: Plastic packaging that is industrially compostable; exempt from the minimum recycled content requirements under Art. 7. Art. 7(4)(e)
CONAI: The Italian National Packaging Consortium — operator of the Italian EPR scheme. Applies modulated fees for packaging types based on recyclability.
Conformity, EU declaration of: The document by which a manufacturer demonstrates that packaging complies with the sustainability and labelling requirements of the PPWR. Art. 3(1) context; recitals (111)–(112). See Declaration of Conformity.
Contact-sensitive packaging: Packaging intended to be used for food and medicinal products. Determines which PCR target tier applies under Art. 7. Art. 3(1)(49) (referenced); Art. 7(1)(a)–(b)

D

Delegated act: A non-legislative act to supplement or amend the Regulation (for example design-for-recycling criteria, heavy-metal derogations). The Commission is empowered under Art. 64. Art. 5(7)–(8), Art. 6(4), Art. 7(9)
Deposit and return system (DRS): A system established by Member States to ensure separate collection of at least 90% by weight of single-use plastic beverage bottles (up to 3 L) and single-use metal beverage containers (up to 3 L), with a deposit charged at the point of sale. Deadline: 1 January 2029. Art. 50(1)–(2)
Design for recycling (DfR): Criteria to be established by delegated acts by 1 January 2028, based on Annex II Tables 1, 3 and 4, ensuring packaging can be sorted and recycled into secondary raw materials of sufficient quality. Art. 6(4). See Article 6 — DfR.
Distance contract: A contract concluded under Directive 2011/83/EU (Consumer Rights Directive) between a producer and a consumer via online or other distance sales means. Art. 3(1)(14)
Distributor: Any natural or legal person in the supply chain, other than the manufacturer or importer, who makes packaging available on the market. Art. 3(1)(12) context

E

E-commerce packaging: Transport packaging used to deliver products in the context of sale online or through other means of distance sales to the end user. Art. 3(1)(8)
Economic operator: The manufacturer, supplier, importer, distributor, authorised representative, final distributor, and fulfilment service provider. Art. 3(1)(12)
End user: The final consumer or user of a packaged product. Not separately defined in Art. 3, but used throughout — in sales packaging, take-away packaging, and DRS return points.
EOF (Extractable Organic Fluorine): The screening parameter measured under EN 17681-1 to detect total PFAS presence in packaging material. A positive EOF result triggers targeted LC-MS/MS analysis to quantify the regulated PFAS species against the 25 ppb limit.
Extended producer responsibility (EPR): The obligation of producers to bear financial responsibility for the packaging they place on the market, covering collection, sorting, recycling, and information costs, under schemes established per Directive 2008/98/EC Arts. 8 and 8a. Art. 45(1)–(2)

F

FEFCO: European Federation of Corrugated Board Manufacturers. The established industry body for corrugated board recyclability. Publishes the Industry Recyclability Statement used in Annex II assessment.
FEVE: The European Container Glass Federation — the established industry body for glass packaging recyclability assessment.
Final distributor: The economic operator at the end of the distribution chain who makes products available to end users; subject to reuse targets for beverages and take-back obligations for reusable packaging. Art. 3(1)(12), Art. 29(6), (9)
Food-contact packaging: Packaging intended to come into contact with food; subject to PFAS restrictions from 12 August 2026 (single PFAS ≤ 25 ppb, sum ≤ 250 ppb, total organic fluorine ≤ 50 ppm). Art. 5(5)
Fulfilment service provider: A person offering at least two of warehousing, packaging, addressing, and dispatch services, as defined in Art. 3(11) of Regulation (EU) 2019/1020; referenced in EPR and online platform obligations. Art. 3(1)(12), Art. 45(7)–(8)

G

Grouped packaging: Packaging conceived to group a certain number of sales units at the point of sale (whether sold as such to the end user or used for restocking), which can be removed without affecting product characteristics. Art. 3(1)(6)

H

Heavy metals: Lead, cadmium, mercury, and hexavalent chromium: their combined concentration in packaging must not exceed 100 mg/kg. Art. 5(4)
HORECA sector: Hotel, restaurant, and catering sector; referenced in Annex V format bans (on-premise single-use plastic packaging, portion sachets) and in DRS exemptions. Annex V points 3–4; Art. 50(3)

I

Immediate packaging: Packaging immediately in contact with a medicinal product, as defined in Directive 2001/83/EC Art. 1(23) and Regulation (EU) 2019/6 Art. 4(25); exempt from PCR requirements. Art. 7(4)(a)
Implementing act: A non-legislative act adopted by the Commission under the examination procedure (Art. 65(2)) to establish detailed methodologies, such as recycled-content calculation and recycled-at-scale assessment. Art. 6(5), Art. 7(8)
Importer: Any natural or legal person established within the Union who places packaging from a third country on the Union market. Art. 3(1)(12) context; Art. 7(6)

L

LC-MS/MS: Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The accepted laboratory method for targeted PFAS quantification under EN 17681-2.
Lightweight plastic carrier bags: Plastic carrier bags with a wall thickness below 50 microns. Very lightweight bags are listed in Annex V point 6 as a restricted format from 2030, with exemptions for hygiene or to prevent food wastage for loose food. Annex V point 6; Art. 34 (referenced)
LoQ (Limit of Quantification): The lowest concentration of an analyte that can be reliably quantified by a test method. For PFAS testing, LoQ values typically sit below the 25 ppb PPWR threshold; results below LoQ are reported as “not detected”.

M

Making available on the market: Any supply of packaging, whether empty or with a product, for distribution, consumption, or use on the Union market in the course of a commercial activity, whether for payment or free of charge. Art. 3(1)(9)
Manufacturer: Any natural or legal person that manufactures packaging or a packaged product; includes those who have packaging designed or manufactured under their own name or trademark. Art. 3(1)(13)
Mass balance: The accounting approach used to substantiate Article 7 recycled-content claims when recycled and virgin feedstocks are mixed in a single process. Outputs are allocated to inputs on a mass basis.
Micro-enterprise: As defined in Recommendation 2003/361/EC (as applicable on 11 February 2025); eligible for certain derogations, such as the Annex V point 3 format-ban exemption. Art. 25(4), Art. 3(1)(13)(b)
Multilayer packaging: Packaging composed of two or more layers of different materials (for example paper + aluminium + polymer). Assessed under Annex II with the dominant material as the recycling stream and other layers as contaminants.

N

NACE Rev. 2: The EU statistical classification of economic activities, referenced in Annex V to define the “accommodation sector” for the single-use toiletry packaging ban. Annex V point 5

O

Outer packaging: As defined in Directive 2001/83/EC Art. 1(24) and Regulation (EU) 2019/6 Art. 4(26); exempt from PCR requirements where necessary to preserve medicinal product quality. Art. 7(4)(d)

P

Packaging: An item, irrespective of material, intended by an economic operator for the containment, protection, handling, delivery, or presentation of products to another economic operator or end user. Includes sales, grouped, transport, service, and e-commerce formats, as well as tea and coffee bags and single-serve units. Art. 3(1)(1)(a)–(g)
Packaging waste: Waste as defined in Directive 2008/98/EC Art. 3(1); reusable packaging sent to reconditioning is not considered waste. Art. 3(1)(2)
PCR (Post-Consumer Recyclate): Plastic, paper, or other material recycled from products that have completed their first use by an end consumer. Counts toward Article 7 thresholds; pre-consumer (industrial off-cut) recyclate does not.
PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances): Any substance containing at least one fully fluorinated methyl (CF₃–) or methylene (–CF₂–) carbon atom, with defined structural exclusions. In food-contact packaging, banned at ≥ 25 ppb (single), ≥ 250 ppb (sum), or ≥ 50 ppm (total fluorine) from 12 August 2026. Art. 5(5). See Article 5 — PFAS.
Placing on the market: The first making available of packaging, whether empty or with a product, on the Union market. Art. 3(1)(10)
Post-consumer plastic waste: Plastic waste generated by end users. Only post-consumer recyclate counts toward the Art. 7 PCR targets; pre-industrial (PIR) recyclate does not. Art. 7(1)–(3)
PPWR: Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation — Regulation (EU) 2025/40. Replaces Directive 94/62/EC. Application date: 12 August 2026. See the pillar guide.
Primary production packaging: Packaging designed for unprocessed products from primary production as defined in Regulation (EC) No 178/2002. Art. 3(1)(4)
Producer: Any manufacturer, importer, or distributor who first makes packaging or packaged products available on a Member State’s territory, including via distance contracts; bears EPR obligations. Art. 3(1)(15)(a)–(e)
Producer responsibility organisation (PRO): An entity entrusted with collectively fulfilling EPR obligations on behalf of producers. Examples: CITEO (France), DSD / Der Grüne Punkt (Germany), CONAI (Italy), Ecoembes (Spain). Art. 23; Art. 45 context

R

Re-use: The repeated use of packaging designed for multiple rotations within a re-use system; reusable packaging sent to reconditioning is not considered waste. Art. 3(1)(2); Art. 29
Re-use system: A system meeting the minimum requirements in Annex VI, Part A, in which reusable packaging circulates; may be open-loop (interoperable across companies) or closed-loop. Art. 27 (referenced); Annex VI
Recyclability performance grades: Grades A (≥ 95%), B (≥ 80%), C (≥ 70%) per Annex II Table 3. From 2030, only A/B/C packaging may be placed on the market; from 2038, only A or B. Art. 6(3), Annex II Table 3
Recyclable: Packaging designed for material recycling whose resulting secondary raw materials are of sufficient quality to substitute primary raw materials, and which can be separately collected, sorted, and recycled at scale. Art. 6(2)(a)–(b)
RecyClass: An established industry scheme for plastic packaging recyclability, whose design-for-recycling methodology aligns with the Annex II criteria. Publishes the Design-for-Recycling guidelines cited in DoCs.
Recycled at scale: A condition for recyclability assessed per packaging category based on quantities placed on the market and quantities actually recycled, per implementing acts to be adopted by 1 January 2030. Art. 6(5)(a)
Recycled content: The percentage of post-consumer recycled plastic in any plastic part of packaging, calculated as an average per manufacturing plant and year. Minimum targets range from 10% to 35% (2030) and 25% to 65% (2040) depending on packaging type. Art. 7(1)–(2)
Refill: A waste-prevention measure whereby consumers purchase products using their own containers or refill infrastructure; counts toward waste-prevention targets. Recital (89); Art. 43 context
Reusable packaging: Packaging designed and intended to be used multiple times within a re-use system, with reconditioning not constituting waste. Art. 3(1)(2); Art. 29

S

Sales packaging: Packaging conceived to constitute a sales unit consisting of products and packaging for the end user at the point of sale. Art. 3(1)(5)
Secondary raw materials: Materials recovered from recycling processes that are of sufficient quality to substitute primary raw materials. Art. 5(1), Art. 6(2)(a)
Separate collection: Collection of packaging waste separated by material stream, as required under Art. 48(1) and (5); a prerequisite for recyclability compliance. Art. 6(2)(b), Art. 48
Service packaging: Packaging designed and intended to be filled at the point of sale to dispense a product; also referred to as take-away packaging when filled at attended points of sale. Art. 3(1)(1)(d)–(e), Art. 3(1)(3)
Single-use packaging: Packaging designed for one use before disposal; subject to format bans (Annex V), DRS requirements, and specific PCR targets for beverage bottles. Annex V; Art. 7(1)(c); Art. 50(1)
Substances of concern: Substances in packaging whose presence and concentration must be minimised due to adverse effects on human health, the environment, or recycling; the Commission shall monitor and may restrict them. Art. 5(1)–(3)
SUP Directive (Single-Use Plastics Directive): Directive (EU) 2019/904, amended by the PPWR. The PPWR prevails over the SUPD for specific single-use plastic packaging listed in Annex V. Art. 25(1), (6); Recitals (13), (180)

T

Take-away packaging: Service packaging filled at attended points of sale with beverages or ready-prepared food for transportation and immediate consumption at another location. Art. 3(1)(3)
Technical documentation: Documentation drawn up per Annex VII demonstrating compliance with substance restrictions (Art. 5), recyclability (Art. 6), and recycled content (Art. 7). Art. 5(6), Art. 7(6), Annex VII
Transport packaging: Packaging designed to facilitate handling and transport of sales units or groupings, preventing damage from handling and transport; excludes road, rail, ship, and air containers. Art. 3(1)(7)

U

Union market: The single market of the European Union; all packaging placed on the Union market must comply with the PPWR. Art. 3(1)(9)–(10)

V

VerpackG: The German Packaging Act (Verpackungsgesetz) — the national implementing law that translates EU packaging policy into German enforcement. PPWR replaces the EU baseline; VerpackG continues to handle national-level penalties and registration.
Very lightweight plastic carrier bags: Very thin plastic carrier bags; banned from 1 January 2030 under Annex V point 6, except where required for hygiene or provided as sales packaging for loose food to prevent food wastage. Annex V point 6
VVO: Verpackungsverordnung — the historical German packaging ordinance, now superseded by VerpackG. The acronym is still widely used in DACH packaging compliance discussions.

W

Waste: Waste as defined in Directive 2008/98/EC Art. 3(1); reusable packaging sent to reconditioning is not considered waste. Art. 3(1)(2)
Waste prevention: Measures to reduce the generation of packaging waste. Member States must reduce per-capita packaging waste relative to 2018 levels, and refill counts as a waste-prevention measure. Art. 43(1); Recital (89)
Worst-of grading: The Annex II methodology: every component of a packaging item is graded independently and the worst-graded component sets the overall PPWR Article 6 grade. A small contaminating component can dominate an otherwise high-quality item. See Article 6 — DfR.