Rules & regulations

Reusable shopping bags fall outside the PPWR

Anneke van der Meijs
Anneke Van Der Meijs
QA specialist

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  • Rules & regulations

Reusable shopping bags fall outside the PPWR

Since the PPWR came into effect on February 11, 2025, more and more details of the regulation are becoming clear. We now know that reusable (big) shopping bags fall outside the PPWR, as long as they do not function as packaging. We would like to explain how this works and what this means for you.

Is the reusable shopping bag a product or packaging?

In general, bags are considered packaging. A carrier bag is a tool for carrying goods that you have purchased. This is functionally similar to packaging. However, if the carrier bag is sold empty and is intended for at least 10 times reuse, then it is classified as a product, regardless of material composition and size. In this case, it is not packaging according to the definition of 94/62/EC and the PPWR.
Bags, PPWR, reusable

The PPWR defines 'packaging' as:

“All products made of materials of any nature, used for the containment, protection, handling, delivery and presentation of goods, from raw materials to processed goods, from the producer to the user or consumer.”

For a reusable shopping bag, the primary purpose is not single-use containment and disposal (the definition of ‘waste packaging’), but facilitating multiple use by the consumer.

No PPWR obligations

When a reusable shopping bag is not used as packaging, there are therefore no legal requirements regarding, for example, the presence of recycled content, Design for Recycling and the use of mono-material.

But this does not mean that we do nothing (more) with this. On the contrary: We take quality and safety very seriously. Therefore, we will ensure that all our products meet the highest standards, as our customers demand from us.

We are constantly looking for ways to make our range of reusable shopping bags (even more) sustainable. We have been working for years with Bagfactory, Europe’s largest non-woven bag manufacturer. They are at the forefront of sustainable solutions. In our next newsletter, we would like to tell you more about this collaboration.
Please contact us for more information on this topic or if you are interested in our reusable shopping bags.

Learn more?
Please contact us for more information on this topic or if you are interested in our reusable shopping bags.

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