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The question of who qualifies as the "manufacturer" of transport packaging under the PPWR remains unresolved. While the European Commission has maintained its current interpretation, retailers and distributors are still waiting for legal clarity.

The PPWR is creating growing challenges for businesses across Europe. Companies, industry associations, and chambers of commerce are increasingly calling for simpler rules, less bureaucracy, and greater flexibility for small businesses.

For many businesses, the biggest challenge is no longer observing legal bounds but keeping up with constant policy changes. When rules, deadlines, or funding programmes change repeatedly, companies generally struggle to plan investments, allocate resources, and advise customers with confidence.

Under the PPWR, even printed paper bags can turn into a compliance issue. Many small and medium-sized businesses are now feeling the pressure of keeping up with the increased costs, bureaucracy, and administrative effort.

European industry is facing growing pressure from rising costs, complex regulations, and increasing global competition. The German Machinery and Equipment Manufacturers Association is therefore calling on the EU to place competitiveness at the centre of future policymaking.

Europe wants to recover more critical raw materials from electronic waste and reduce its dependence on imports. A new EU-funded project aims to transform end-of-life electronics into valuable resources for the European industry.

Germany currently has no state reserves of critical raw materials and therefore no strategic buffer against potential shortages. Whilst Berlin is working on an EU solution, the question of establishing its own reserves remains unresolved for the time being.

The PPWR is set to increase demand for recycled plastics across Europe. Now, leading recycling associations are calling for these mandatory recycled-content quotas to be met primarily with materials recycled in Europe.

Europe's electronic waste contains valuable raw materials worth billions of euros. Yet much of this potential remains untapped because too few devices are collected, repaired, or recycled.

Amazon is significantly reducing the use of plastic in its shipping packaging while increasing its use of paper-based solutions. The move highlights a growing trend in e-commerce: packaging optimisation is becoming an important factor for cost control, sustainability, and compliance.