The Brewers of Europe has called on the European Commission to provide urgent clarification on the implementation of the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), warning that unresolved questions are creating significant uncertainty for brewers across the region.
While the Commission’s latest communication is seen as a constructive step, it falls short of addressing several critical issues that are essential for companies planning long-term investments in packaging, production, and logistics. According to the brewers’ association, this lack of clarity risks disrupting supply chains, undermining established sustainable practices, and ultimately increasing costs for consumers.
Julia Leferman, Secretary-General of The Brewers of Europe, emphasized that the industry fully supports the environmental ambitions of the regulation but urgently requires practical guidance. She highlighted that packaging transitions involve substantial capital expenditure and operational adjustments, making clear and timely rules essential to avoid inefficiencies and unintended consequences.
Key areas of concern include the treatment of plastic grouped packaging, which remains a crucial solution for efficient transport, as well as uncertainties around reusable labeling systems and the absence of clear criteria for exemptions from reuse targets. Without clarification, brewers warn of potential market disruptions, including the risk of prematurely withdrawing reusable assets such as crates, which could weaken well-functioning reuse and deposit-return systems.
The association also cautioned that delayed or unclear guidance could lead to premature or misaligned investments, ultimately harming both business performance and environmental outcomes. Small and medium-sized breweries are expected to be particularly vulnerable to these risks.
Looking ahead, brewers are expecting further updates from the Commission in 2026, including more detailed guidance and expanded Q&A documentation. Until then, the industry continues to push for comprehensive and timely clarification to ensure that the transition to the new packaging framework is both economically viable and environmentally effective.
