For compliance with the law

The member states of the European Union prefer bags that do not harm the environment: Since 2025, packaging in the European Union has been governed by the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), with specific requirements that become applicable over time. As an EU regulation rather than a directive, the PPWR is applicable in all Member States and sets harmonised rules for all packaging materials, including paper carrier bags. Its objective is to reduce packaging waste, promote reuse, and ensure that packaging placed on the European market is designed for recyclability and supports a circular economy.¹

The PPWR builds on earlier EU legislation such as the EU Plastics Strategy (2018)², the Single-Use Plastics (SUP) Directive (EU) 2019/904³, and the Plastic Bags Directive (EU) 2015/720⁴. These initiatives focused primarily on reducing the environmental impacts of plastic packaging, including measures to reduce the consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags and ban certain single-use plastic products commonly found in the environment.

While these measures remain part of the EU’s broader waste-reduction framework, the PPWR establishes a comprehensive, material-neutral regulatory approach for all packaging placed on the market. It addresses the entire packaging life cycle, from product design to labelling and waste management.

Reducing plastic waste

Littering of plastic bags leads to a widespread problem of rubbish in water bodies, threatening aquatic ecosystems worldwide. A study from 2017 suggested that if nothing were to change, by 2050 the quantity of plastic in the ocean would surpass that of fish (by weight)⁵. Furthermore, littering of plastic bags is an inefficient use of resources. In order to promote a sustained reduction in the average consumption level of lightweight plastic carrier bags, EU member states are free to decide on their own measures such as pricing, use of taxes and fees, or restrictions on placing such bags in the market.

However, it was mandatory for all EU member states to adopt measures which make sure that the annual consumption level stays under a certain amount.