News from the JRC : a first technical proposal for EU-wide, harmonised waste-sorting labels under the PPWR
- Rim Kaidi
- Jan 14
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 15
On 13 January 2026, the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) published a new report: “JRC technical proposal on EU harmonised waste sorting labels under the packaging and packaging waste regulation”. (Available here: JRC Publications Repository - JRC technical proposal on EU harmonised waste sorting labels under the packaging and packaging waste regulation)
More than just a design report
The document is a technical blueprint to support the European Commission in developing future, harmonised packaging-sorting instructions, so consumers and producers encounter the same logic across Member States and packaging can circulate smoothly within the Single Market.
This timing is important because the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) applies from 12 August 2026, and the Commission is expected to use the JRC work as an input when preparing the secondary legislation on labelling.
What the JRC report is proposing
At its core, the JRC proposes a harmonised system of consumer-facing labels for packaging and waste receptacles (bins), built to work across Europe’s very different collection and sorting systems.
The key idea is intuitive: matching labels so the label you see on packaging corresponds to what you should look for on the bin (and vice-versa).
The report serves as evidence-based input for the Commission services, especially DG Environment, to support the planned implementation measures of the PPWR (the JRC aims to inform the Commission’s implementing acts mentioned in the PPWR).
Built from behavioural evidence, not “designer taste”
One of the strongest signals in the report summary is the methodology behind it. The JRC says the proposal is grounded in:
extensive desk research
empirical evidence from citizen workshops, surveys, and experiments
expert stakeholder workshops and consultations
That matters, because sorting labels only work if they work in real kitchens, offices, and public spaces under time pressure, in different languages, and with varying levels of recycling knowledge.
“Flexible, yet harmonised”: the balancing act
The JRC repeatedly frames the challenge as finding the sweet spot between EU-wide harmonisation and practical flexibility for Member States and real-world packaging constraints.
In practice, that balancing act shows up in three main design questions:
What should the label communicate?
The proposed “conceptual approach” focuses on informing consumers about material composition and providing clear sorting instructions, reinforced through matching labels on bins.
Determining the Appropriate Level of Label Granularity
A single “plastic” label offers simplicity but may be overly broad, especially in systems that differentiate between rigid and flexible plastics or where composite materials create confusion. According to the JRC summary, the proposed approach aims for a level of granularity that defines distinct labels based on both theoretical and practical considerations. External feedback on the JRC work indicates that early prototypes explored a range of material categories and subcategories. For instance, one industry analysis describes an initial prototype with eight material categories, including subcategories like “soft” vs “hard” plastics.
What should the label look like across 27 markets?
The visual approach aims to ensure the label both stands out and is understood across Member States, while allowing enough flexibility to work on-pack and on bins as you can see on the figure below.
However, even before the Commission locks anything in, the labelling conversation is already contentious. Several industry groups have publicly warned that heavy reliance on text and/or colour could recreate fragmentation because text triggers translation needs and can easily drift into national variants.
The JRC summary itself acknowledges the reality: the proposal includes compromises, identifies challenges, and flags future work needs given the complex interplay of regulatory requirements, stakeholder preferences, and practical limitations. In other words, this is not presented as a final “perfect” answer, but as a structured, research-backed basis for the Commission to build on.
What this means for brands, retailers, and compliance teams
If you put packaged goods on the EU market, this is the moment to treat waste-sorting labels as a system change, not a minor artwork update. A few practical implications stand out:
Data discipline becomes design discipline. If labels need to reflect material composition reliably, internal packaging specifications (and component-level bills of materials) have to be clean, current, and auditable.
Space on-pack will be a constraint. Expect tension between information richness and small-format packaging realities especially if multiple components need instructions.
Consistency across SKUs will matter. Harmonisation is partly about consumer learning: the faster people recognise a label family, the better it performs.
Conclusion and next step
Under the PPWR, 12 August 2026 is a key milestone, as it is the date of general application of the Regulation and the deadline for the Commission to adopt implementing acts specifying harmonised labelling requirements. These implementing acts are adopted in 2026, while the harmonised labelling obligations take effect from 2028.
The bottom line: the JRC has now provided a concrete, evidence-backed proposal. For stakeholders, it’s crucial to begin reviewing the proposed direction now, as once the Commission’s act is adopted, the implementation timeline will accelerate rapidly.
CEHTRA supports you in implementing these regulations. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.
References
CEHTRA supports packaging stakeholders in anticipating and complying with the new PPWR requirements, particularly in terms of labeling and waste management.
Author: Baptiste REVERDY
