The next August 12 marks the beginning of the application of the new European Regulation on Packaging and Packaging Waste (PPWR - Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation), one of the most relevant legislative initiatives within the framework of the European Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan.

Although a part of the cosmetic sector continues to perceive this regulation as a future compliance requirement, the reality is that the decisions currently adopted regarding material selection, packaging design, compatibility with recycling technologies, and the use of recycled plastic will have a direct impact on companies' ability to adapt to the new regulatory requirements.

The cosmetic industry faces a scenario of structural transformation in which packaging circularity will cease to be a differentiating element to become an essential market access requirement.

The impact of PPWR on cosmetic packaging

Cosmetic packaging presents high technical complexity derived from the functional demands associated with product protection, formulation stability, user experience, commercial differentiation, and brand positioning.

This reality has historically favored the use of:

• Multi-material structures.
• Inseparable components.
• Complex decorations.
• Closure systems with different polymers.
• Functional barriers that hinder sorting and recycling processes.

With the progressive application of PPWR, companies must demonstrate that their packaging has been designed under circularity criteria and that it is compatible with the collection, sorting, and recycling infrastructures existing in Europe.

Aspects such as:

• The effective recyclability of the packaging.
• The minimum content of recycled plastic.
• The minimization of the packaging's weight and volume.
• The reduction of unnecessary components.
• The traceability of the materials used.
• Alignment with Design for Recycling (DfR) criteria.

These aforementioned requirements will acquire increasing relevance in product development and corporate sustainability strategies.

The need for verifiable technical evidence

In recent months, Ecocert Ibérica has detected a significant increase in inquiries from cosmetic manufacturers, brand owners, plastic processors, and packaging suppliers interested in evaluating the degree of alignment of their packaging with future regulatory requirements.

The market's main concern is no longer limited to regulatory compliance, but to the ability to provide objective technical evidence to demonstrate:

• The recyclability of the packaging.
• The compatibility of materials with existing recycling chains.
• The actual percentage of recycled content incorporated.
• The traceability of the raw materials used.
• The environmental performance of packaging solutions.

In this context, internationally recognized evaluation systems play a fundamental role in reducing regulatory uncertainty and facilitating decision-making.

RecyClass: technical reference for recyclability assessment

Certification under the RecyClass scheme has consolidated itself as one of the reference methodologies in Europe for evaluating the behavior of plastic packaging within a circular economy.

Its technical approach allows for a rigorous analysis of the compatibility of packaging with industrial sorting and recycling processes, identifying opportunities for improvement before product commercialization.

For the cosmetic sector, RecyClass adds value in key areas such as:

• Recyclability assessment

It allows determining the recyclability level of a package considering all its components: main body, labels, adhesives, inks, sleeves, closure systems, dosing pumps, and other functional elements.

• Design for recycling

It facilitates the identification of components that generate efficiency losses during sorting or recycling processes, allowing for the optimization of package design from the initial development phases.

• Recycled content verification

It provides certification mechanisms that allow independently demonstrating the incorporation of recycled material into packaging, an aspect that will gain increasing importance with the implementation of the objectives established by the PPWR.

• Material traceability

It guarantees the integrity and reliability of information related to the origin and flow of recycled materials throughout the supply chain.

• A tool to anticipate the market

Beyond regulatory compliance, RecyClass is becoming a strategic tool for cosmetic manufacturers and brands seeking to respond to the demands of distributors, investors, and consumers increasingly oriented towards circular production models.

The certification provides a solid technical basis to support environmental claims, strengthen the credibility of ESG strategies, and reduce the risk associated with future regulatory demands.

Organizations that start now to evaluate the recyclability of their packaging and the incorporation of recycled materials will have a significant competitive advantage over those that delay their adaptation. As a certification entity specialized in sustainability and circular economy, Ecocert Ibérica accompanies cosmetic manufacturers, brand owners, processors, and packaging companies in the evaluation and certification processes under the different RecyClass modules.

The entry into application of the PPWR represents a turning point for the European cosmetic sector. In this new scenario, the ability to objectively demonstrate the recyclability, circularity, and traceability of packaging will be a determining factor to ensure regulatory compliance and maintain competitiveness in the market.

RecyClass not only allows evaluating an organization's degree of preparedness for the PPWR; it provides a technical roadmap to transform regulatory requirements into an opportunity for innovation, differentiation, and leadership in sustainability.