The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) members consist of thousands of growers of flowers and ornamental plants around the world who are together united by one essential goal – promoting the place of plants in people’s lives.
AIPH is responsible for approving the world’s most exceptional horticultural expos creating long lasting green legacies in cities across the globe.
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Learn moreAIPH hosts several conferences, webinars and events such as the International Grower of the Year award throughout the year. Read about these along with the latest news about the association’s activities.
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The report contains insights on production and consumption of the floriculture industry in Thailand, imports and exports, and business opportunities
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Europe’s ornamental horticulture sector is facing one of the biggest regulatory changes in decades. The European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)—a cornerstone of the European Green Deal—formally came into force on 11 February 2025. Although the regulation is now law, we’re currently in the pre-implementation phase: EU Member States will begin applying national obligations such as registration, labelling, and reporting from 12 August 2026.
That makes the current moment a critical window for preparation. The PPWR sets out sweeping new rules on recyclability, reuse, material composition, and waste reduction, with full compliance deadlines fixed for 2030 and beyond. For growers, exporters, and supply chain partners, understanding what’s coming—and acting early—is essential to avoid disruption and seize sustainability opportunities.
This long-read guide outlines what the PPWR means in practice, highlighting key obligations, materials at risk, and the steps the sector can take today to prepare for tomorrow.
The packaging that protects, promotes, and transports plants and flowers is undergoing a seismic shift. The European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)—a core component of the European Green Deal—sets out transformative goals for the sector.
This far-reaching regulation has three clear objectives: to reduce the volume of packaging and packaging waste, to encourage reuse and high-quality recycling, and to create a level playing field for packaging rules across the EU. The implications are immediate and transformative for Europe’s ornamental horticulture sector, which relies on a wide variety of packaging materials and formats.
The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) was enacted on 11 February 2025. Here’s what ornamental growers across Europe need to keep on their radar:
♦ From 11 February 2025
• The regulation is officially in force. Companies should begin preparing to meet new packaging requirements, including recyclability, labelling, and reporting obligations.
♦ From 12 August 2026
• EU Member States begin phased implementation. Initial obligations—such as registration, reporting and labelling—may start applying at the national level.
♦ By 2030
• Only packaging that meets the EU’s environmental requirements (Articles 5 to 12 of the PPWR) may be placed on the market.
• Packaging must also be recyclable at scale.
• Post-consumer recyclate must be used in all plastic packaging (35% minimum for non-food use).
• Reuse targets begin.
• Packaging waste per capita must be reduced by 5% (vs. 2018 levels).
• Packaging must not exceed 50% empty space.
♦ By 2035
• Packaging must be fully recyclable in practice and at scale.
• Packaging with the lowest recycling grade (D) will be banned.
• Packaging waste per capita must be reduced by 10%.
♦ By 2040
• Packaging waste per capita must be reduced by 15%.
♦ Ongoing
• Member States may introduce additional taxes or EPR schemes.
• Growers must demonstrate continual progress toward circular packaging goals.
A central pillar of the regulation is recyclability. By 2030, all packaging placed on the EU market must be recyclable by design. And by 2035, it must be recyclable not just in theory but in practice and at scale. This means that ornamental growers, exporters, and their supply chain partners will need to transition to packaging materials that can be efficiently collected, sorted, and recycled through existing waste management systems. Multi-material packaging, laminates, and formats that complicate recycling will gradually fall out of favour, replaced by mono-material or alternative solutions that meet the new standards.
To reverse the rising tide of packaging waste, the PPWR sets legally binding reduction targets. Member States must ensure that the amount of packaging waste generated per inhabitant falls by five per cent by 2030, ten per cent by 2035, and 15 per cent by 2040, compared to 2018 levels. These figures are not merely aspirations—they will be tracked and enforced. This calls for a dual approach for the horticultural sector: reducing unnecessary packaging wherever possible and increasing the circularity of the remaining materials.
As part of its effort to improve recycling rates, the regulation introduces mandatory labelling requirements. All packaging must clearly indicate the materials used and how they should be disposed of. These labels will be standardised across the EU, making it easier for consumers to sort waste correctly and for municipalities to process it. For companies in ornamental horticulture, this means rethinking both primary and secondary packaging—from sleeves and pots to boxes and transport trays—ensuring all carry the appropriate labelling and disposal information.
From 2030, all plastic packaging must include a minimum percentage of post-consumer recycled content.
The threshold for non-food applications—such as most floriculture packaging—will be at least 35 per cent. This shift will significantly affect procurement decisions and may lead to increased demand for high-quality recyclate in the coming years.
The regulation also addresses the chemical composition of packaging. Harmful substances such as PFAS will be banned entirely, and the combined concentration of lead, cadmium, mercury and chromium VI in any packaging material must not exceed 100 mg/kg. This will push producers toward safer, certified materials, and could impact the availability of certain inks, coatings, or pigments currently in use in decorative or branded sleeves and wraps.
While compostable and bio-based packaging may sound like ideal solutions, the PPWR takes a cautious approach.
Within two years, the EU will introduce clearer targets and guidelines for these formats. Compostable packaging will be limited to specific, approved uses and must be clearly labelled.
Businesses using such materials will need to ensure that they comply not only with performance criteria but also with communication standards that support proper end-of-life treatment.
Beginning in 2030, packaging must also be designed to avoid unnecessary volume and layers. The regulation sets a maximum of 50 per cent empty space allowed in packaging formats.
This means oversized boxes, redundant sleeves, or ornamental wrapping that adds no functional value may no longer be permitted, encouraging smarter, more efficient design across the sector.
Though the regulation exempts cardboard boxes, it introduces strong targets for reusable transport packaging. At least 40 per cent of all transport packaging used within the EU must be reusable, and that figure rises to 100 per cent for packaging that remains within a single Member State.
This could dramatically alter the logistics models used by growers and exporters, prompting a shift toward returnable trays and standardised containers.
The PPWR officially entered into force on 11 February 2025. While this marks the beginning of the regulation’s legal effect, implementation will unfold in phases.
From 12 August 2026, EU Member States will begin applying national obligations, including registration, reporting, and correct labelling requirements. Businesses are urged to use this transition window to assess their current packaging, identify areas of risk, and begin aligning with the regulation’s demands.
The next major milestone comes on 1 January 2030, when only packaging that complies with the environmental requirements outlined in Articles 5 to 12 of the PPWR may be placed on the EU market.
These Articles represent the regulation’s core: covering recyclability, chemical composition, use of recycled content, restrictions on unnecessary or problematic packaging formats, and minimum reuse and labelling standards. Companies failing to comply by this date may face market exclusion, fines, or other regulatory consequences.
With these clear deadlines in place, the ornamental horticulture sector cannot afford to wait. Early action will ensure compliance and position businesses as leaders in sustainability and responsible production.
The heart of the EU’s new packaging rules lies in Articles 5 to 12 of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). These will apply fully from 1 January 2030, and they bring major changes to the ornamental horticulture supply chain:
♦ Article 5 – Substances of Concern
• Prohibits the use of harmful chemicals such as PFAS. Heavy metals like lead, cadmium, mercury, and chromium VI must not exceed a total of 100 mg/kg in packaging.
♦ Article 6 – Recyclability
• All packaging must be recyclable by design from 2030. Packaging will be rated A to D based on how well it can be collected, sorted, and recycled.
• Packaging rated D will be banned from 2035.
♦ Article 7 – Minimum Recycled Content
• Plastic packaging must contain post-consumer recyclate. For floriculture and other non-food uses, a minimum of 35% is required by 2030.
♦ Articles 8 & 9 – Bio-based and Compostables
• New targets and clearer rules are coming. Compostable packaging will be limited to specific permitted uses and must be clearly labelled.
♦ Article 10 – Minimisation
• Packaging must avoid excess weight, volume, and empty space. From 2030, packaging can include no more than 50% empty space and no unnecessary layers.
♦ Article 11 – Reuse Targets
Transport packaging must become reusable:
• At least 40% must be reused across the EU
• 100% reuse is required for packaging that stays within one country
• (Cardboard boxes are exempt.)
♦ Article 12 – Labelling
• All packaging must carry harmonised labels showing material type and disposal method.
• Reusable packaging must include a QR code for reuse tracking.
While many aspects of the PPWR will be phased in over time, the direction of travel is clear, and the time to prepare is now. From January 2025 onward, Member States may begin introducing national taxes, penalties, or incentives to accelerate the transition.
Across the industry, there is a growing recognition that adapting to these new rules is not just about compliance—it is about ensuring long-term relevance in an evolving market.
The rules are evolving. Expectations are rising. However, with collaboration, creativity, and leadership, the ornamental horticulture industry can play a defining role in the future of sustainable packaging.
This article was first published in the May 2025 issue of FloraCulture International.
