A follow-up report on the webinar “EPR and recyclability assessment – proactive calculation rather than reactive testing” held on 9 April 2026
The requirements for packaging are changing rapidly. This became particularly clear in the Innoform webinar “EPR and Recyclability Assessment”, which examined in depth how recyclability and extended producer responsibility (EPR) are becoming increasingly intertwined – and what consequences this has for packaging design, costs and internal processes.
The session was led by Vivian Loftin (Managing Director at Recyda GmbH). The numerous practical questions and contributions to the discussion made it clear that this is a topic of great interest to the industry.
From Design for Recycling to Design for EPR
A key takeaway from the webinar: Recyclability is no longer merely a technical criterion, but has a direct impact on EPR fees. Whilst in the past recyclability and licensing were often considered separately, these aspects are now increasingly intertwined. Instruments such as eco-modulation are designed to provide targeted incentives to use recycling-friendly packaging – through financial benefits as well as through increasing fees for problematic designs.
Different systems in Europe – an overview
Using specific examples from different countries, the presentation demonstrated how EPR schemes vary across Europe:
- Italy and Belgium primarily work with material classifications and categories, which are further subdivided according to design features. Design aspects such as carbon black, material content or label coverage can lead to significant differences in cost.
- France is placing greater emphasis on a bonus-malus system, under which fees may be increased or reduced depending on recyclability, design criteria and other factors (e.g. communication or refill schemes).
- In the Netherlands and Spain, on the other hand, points-based or traffic-light systems are used, in which a documented recyclability assessment has a direct impact on the fees payable.
The examples made it clear that comparisons between countries are complex, as assessment systems, thresholds and cost structures vary considerably.
Practical discussion: responsibility, data and feasibility
A significant part of the webinar was devoted to an exchange of experiences with the participants. The following topics were discussed in particular:
- Responsibilities in the supply chain: Packaging manufacturers can generally only assess their own materials – the overall responsibility lies with the distributor.
- Data availability: Information on colours, adhesives, material composition or barriers is becoming increasingly important, but is often not available in a structured format.
- Practice vs. theory: Individual assessments for different print motifs or minor design variations are required by regulation, but in practice they are rarely implemented across the board.
- Single-material components vs. composites: Single-material components are often more cost-effective in many systems; however, technical requirements and existing production lines remain key factors in the decision-making process.
Outlook: PPWR brings harmonisation – but no simplification of costs
With regard to the forthcoming Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), it has become clear that:
The assessment criteria for recyclability are to be harmonised across the EU, but not the level of EPR fees. From August 2026, recyclability must continue to be met, but in accordance with existing legislation (PPWD / national systems). National discretion will remain, particularly regarding the financial structure of the systems. Harmonised recyclability criteria and their link to EPR/eco-modulation will only take effect with the delegated acts (expected from 2028).
A proactive approach was therefore recommended: companies should start systematically collecting relevant packaging data and setting up internal processes today – rather than waiting for the final detailed regulations to be published.
Fazit
The webinar clearly demonstrated that recyclability, EPR costs and packaging design will be inextricably linked in future. By ensuring transparency at an early stage and strategically evaluating design decisions, companies can not only minimise regulatory risks but also realise financial benefits.
With this webinar, we are further reinforcing our position as the leading knowledge partner in the field of flexible packaging – through both our testing service in Oldenburg and Innoform Coaching.