New EU Packaging Regulation: How Companies Can Digitally Transform Their Packaging Processes

What is changing with the new EU Packaging Regulation?

The PPWR considers the entire lifecycle of packaging – from its design and use to reuse and disposal. This involves numerous requirements, some of which apply immediately, while others will gradually come into effect over the coming years.

The key objectives include:

• reducing unnecessary packaging and packaging waste,
• minimising the weight and volume of packaging,
• improving the recyclability of packaging,
• promoting reuse and refill,
• increasing the use of certain reusable packaging solutions, and
• creating more harmonised labelling and information requirements across Europe.

The requirements will become progressively stricter. From 2030, for example, a system of recyclability performance grades for packaging will become relevant. Specific reuse targets will also apply to certain types of transport and sales packaging from 2030 onwards.

Companies should therefore not view the PPWR solely as a regulatory requirement. It also provides an opportunity to fundamentally reassess their packaging and logistics processes.

The challenge starts with data

Companies that want to reduce, optimise, or reuse packaging first need to know exactly which packaging is actually being used.

Which packaging structure is used for which item? How much packaging material is required? What weights and volumes are involved? Are alternative packaging options available? Which containers can be reused?

In many companies, this information is distributed across different systems, documents, or even manual lists. This not only makes it more difficult to optimise packaging processes, but also requires considerable effort to achieve the necessary transparency regarding materials, quantities, and packaging structures.

Digitally integrated packaging management can provide an important foundation here.

Managing packaging structures directly in the ERP system

With BE-terna Handling Unit Management, packaging structures, packaging materials, and logistics processes can be managed centrally in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.

The solution digitally maps multi-level packaging and loading hierarchies and connects them directly with sales, purchasing, manufacturing, and warehouse processes. Companies can, for example, incorporate customer-specific packaging requirements, different fill quantities, alternative packaging options, or reusable containers into their existing ERP processes.

This creates a central data foundation for operational packaging management.

Reducing packaging material and volume more effectively

One of the key objectives of the PPWR is to prevent unnecessary packaging. Among other things, the regulation requires the weight and volume of packaging to be reduced to the minimum necessary. In the future, compliance with the relevant requirements will need to be demonstrated on the basis of technical information.

Handling Unit Management makes it possible to record and verify quantities, units, and weight parameters for packaging structures. In addition, material attributes such as length, weight, volume, and material type can be stored.

This provides companies with a better data foundation for comparing different packaging options and optimising the use of materials.

This can be relevant not only in terms of regulatory requirements: using less packaging material and optimising fill quantities can also help reduce material, transport, and handling costs.

Managing reusable packaging systematically

Another key focus of the PPWR is reuse.

For certain types of transport packaging – including pallets, plastic crates, boxes, intermediate bulk containers, pails, drums, and canisters – the regulation introduces specific reuse targets from 2030 onwards. For the economic operators concerned, it will therefore become increasingly important to manage reusable packaging not only physically, but also digitally within their processes.

This is precisely where Handling Unit Management comes in. The solution supports the management of reusable containers and reusable packaging components. Standardised packaging structures can be defined, copied, and adapted depending on the specific process.

This enables companies to integrate reusable packaging concepts more closely into their existing ERP and logistics processes instead of managing them through separate or manual processes.

From packaging definition to goods shipment

The benefits of an integrated approach become particularly evident in day-to-day operations.

Packaging structures can be linked to sales orders, purchase orders, or transfer orders. The solution also supports processes such as picking, goods receipt and shipment, transfers, and packing. Packaging information can also be automatically transferred to shipping documents such as delivery notes, invoices, or accompanying documents.

This makes packaging information available exactly where it is needed: directly within the relevant business process.

Automated validation mechanisms can also help prevent incorrect or incomplete packaging definitions.

Is Handling Unit Management a PPWR compliance solution?

No – and this distinction is important.

The PPWR covers numerous requirements, including recyclability, labelling, technical documentation, recycled content, and extended producer responsibility. Handling Unit Management does not automatically or fully cover these regulatory requirements.

However, the solution can provide an important foundation for the required data and processes.

There are direct links to three key areas of the new Packaging Regulation in particular:

Transparency: Packaging structures, materials, weights, and volumes can be managed centrally and digitally.

Optimisation: Alternative packaging structures and fill quantities can be managed, enabling companies to optimise their use of packaging materials.

Reuse: Reusable containers and reusable packaging components can be integrated into operational ERP and logistics processes.

PPWR as an opportunity for more efficient packaging processes

The new EU Packaging Regulation is increasing the pressure on companies to take action. At the same time, it provides an opportunity to reassess packaging processes that have evolved over many years.

Companies that want to efficiently reduce, optimise, and reuse packaging in the future need one thing above all: a reliable data foundation and transparent processes.

With BE-terna Handling Unit Management, companies can digitise their packaging structures directly in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and connect them with their existing business and logistics processes. This creates a foundation not only for keeping better track of packaging from a regulatory perspective, but also for optimising material usage, handling effort, and logistics processes over the long term.

Are your packaging processes ready for the new requirements?

The PPWR is making packaging management an increasingly important part of digital business processes. We would be happy to show you how BE-terna Handling Unit Management for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central can help you create greater transparency across your packaging structures, digitally manage reusable packaging concepts, and make your packaging processes more efficient.

Talk to our experts and discover what digital packaging management in Dynamics 365 Business Central can look like.

Learn more about our Handling Unit Management solution here: Handling Unit Management.