If your company imports or distributes packaged goods in the EU, you already manage customs paperwork, product safety certificates and supplier audits. But starting 12 August 2026, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) adds a new layer: collecting Declarations of Conformity from packaging manufacturers, managing packaging portfolios per SKU, registering for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) across multiple EU member states and keeping audit-ready documentation for up to 10 years.

Put simply, these are not tasks that spreadsheets handle very well at scale. That’s why many forward-thinking companies are replacing fragmented manual processes with a dedicated system built for the regulation's requirements. PPWR compliance tools centralize documentation, automate supplier follow-ups and create a single audit trail.

This guide evaluates the best PPWR compliance tools available in 2026, ranked by how well each one serves the importer and distributor use case. We selected the tools by reviewing PPWR software options based on feature coverage for importers and distributors, publicly available product information, regulatory alignment with Regulation (EU) 2025/40 and relevance to supply chain compliance workflows. 

Tools covered:

1. Coolset
2. Recyda
3. Valpack
4. Packa
5. PPWR Copilot
6. Trace One

What is a PPWR compliance tool?

A PPWR compliance tool is software that helps companies meet the requirements of the EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2025/40). PPWR compliance software covers packaging data management, supplier documentation collection, labeling, recyclability tracking, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) reporting and conformity verification.

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation applies from 12 August 2026. Under Article 18 of the PPWR, importers carry eight specific obligations including verifying that manufacturers have completed a conformity assessment under Article 38, prepared technical documentation under Annex VII and drawn up a Declaration of Conformity following the Annex VIII model structure. 

Importers must hold a copy of the DoC for 5 years (single-use packaging) or 10 years (reusable packaging) and make technical documentation available to national authorities on request.

To put this into perspective, consider a mid-market importer bringing 500 SKUs from 40 packaging suppliers across 3 EU markets. Imagine manually requesting, tracking and storing DoCs via email! It would quickly become unmanageable. 

Dedicated PPWR software tools centralize this workflow, automate supplier follow-ups and create a single audit trail that scales with the portfolio.

What should importers and distributors look for in a PPWR compliance tool?

Not every PPWR software tool is designed for importers and distributors. Many focus on packaging design or manufacturer-side recyclability assessment. 

Importers and distributors have a different set of obligations under the PPWR. They do not control packaging design, but carry legal responsibility for what reaches the EU market. 

Under Article 21, importers who sell under their own brand even trigger manufacturer-level obligations.

Here are seven evaluation criteria for comparing PPWR compliance software:

1. Supplier documentation collection: Automates DoC requests, sends reminders and validates incoming documents against Annex VIII requirements. A Declaration of Conformity is a written self-declaration by the packaging manufacturer confirming that packaging meets Articles 5–12 of Regulation (EU) 2025/40.
2. Packaging portfolio management: Tracks materials, weights and recyclability status per SKU. The PPWR sets recyclability grades A through E and recycled content targets (e.g. 30% recycled content for contact-sensitive PET by 1 January 2030).
3. EPR registration and reporting support: Extended Producer Responsibility requires registration in each EU member state where packaged goods are placed on the market, data reporting and fee payments. Multi-country coverage is essential.
4. Labeling and conformity document generation: The PPWR introduces harmonized EU labeling from 12 August 2028. Packaging regulation software that generates labeling guidance reduces risk across markets with varying existing requirements.
5. ERP/PLM integration: Connects to existing enterprise resource planning or product lifecycle management systems to avoid manual data re-entry.
6. Audit trail and evidence storage: Article 18(7) requires importers to respond to authority requests within 10 days. Retention extends to 10 years for reusable packaging.
7. Multi-framework support: Companies facing the EUDR, CSRD or EcoVadis benefit from a single platform that eliminates duplicate data collection.

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What are the best PPWR compliance tools for importers and distributors in 2026?

The following six tools represent a cross-section of the PPWR software market, from end-to-end supply chain compliance platforms to specialized packaging assessment and documentation tools.

1. Coolset

Coolset is an end-to-end supply chain compliance platform with a dedicated PPWR module built for importers and distributors. The platform automates supplier documentation workflows including Declaration of Conformity collection and validation and provides packaging portfolio management per SKU with conformity status tracking.

While we know we're the authors of this article, we truly believe Coolset should be #1 as our platform directly addresses the importer/distributor workflow: supplier documentation collection, packaging portfolio management and conformity tracking. These are the core obligations under Articles 18 and 19 of the PPWR, and Coolset is built around them.

Website: coolset.com/ppwr

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Standout features:

• Automated DoC collection and validation workflows with supplier reminders
• Packaging portfolio management per SKU with conformity status dashboard
• Audit-ready evidence storage meeting PPWR retention requirements (5–10 years under Article 18)
• Multi-framework support: PPWR, EUDR, CSRD, EcoVadis in one platform
• Supplier engagement portal for documentation requests across multi-tier supply chains

Best for: Mid-market importers and distributors managing many SKUs across multi-tier supply chains.

Limitation: Coolset does not perform in-depth recyclability-at-scale assessments or packaging design optimization. Companies needing granular material-level recyclability scoring may need to pair Coolset with a specialized tool like Recyda.

2. Recyda

Recyda is a packaging sustainability platform focused on recyclability assessment, EPR fee calculation and packaging data management. The Freiburg-based company evaluates packaging against guidelines from more than 20 countries including RecyClass, CEFLEX, KIDV and the German ZSVR Minimum Standard. 

Website: recyda.com

Standout features:

• Portfolio-wide recyclability assessment against 20+ country-specific guidelines
• EPR fee calculation with eco-modulation analysis
• ERP/PLM data integration (including SAP partnership)
• Logic-based heuristics to enrich incomplete packaging data
• Declaration of Conformity support and technical documentation preparation

Best for: Brand owners and manufacturers managing large packaging portfolios who need detailed recyclability scoring across multiple EU markets and want to optimize EPR costs.

Limitation: Recyda is built for manufacturers and brand owners managing design-for-recycling workflows. It does not focus on the importer-side DoC collection workflow.

3. Valpak

Valpak is a UK-based compliance scheme operated by Reconomy offering PPWR compliance as a managed service. Valpak combines expert consultancy with a database of over 50 million SKUs, covering impact assessments, custom labeling reports and ongoing regulatory updates as delegated acts are published through 2030.

Website: valpak.co.uk/compliance/ppwr-eu-packaging-compliance-service

Standout features:

• Managed compliance service with dedicated expert team
• Database of 50+ million SKUs with packaging metrics
• Custom PPWR labeling reports per product
• Live regulatory timeline tracking with delegated act updates
• Packaging analysis for recyclability grading (grades A–C)

Limitation: Valpak operates as a managed service, not a self-serve software platform. Companies wanting full control over workflows may find it less flexible.

‍Best for: UK-based companies exporting to the EU that prefer a managed-service model and need expert-led impact assessments across their packaging portfolio.

4. Packa

Packa is a digital packaging management platform that bundles together specifications, artwork approval, supplier management and regulatory compliance. Originally built for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies, Packa includes a PPWR check, EPR calculator and recyclability analysis tools alongside centralized packaging specification storage.

Website: packa.com

Standout features:

• Centralized packaging specification management with high data quality
• Integrated PPWR check and EPR calculator per packaging type
• CO₂ footprint and recyclability analysis per packaging item
• Automated document expiry reminders
• ERP integration with standardized data parameters

Limitation: Packa focuses on packaging specification management for manufacturers and brand owners, not importer-side supply chain documentation. 

Best for: FMCG companies and brand owners needing a unified packaging management platform combining specifications, artwork approval and PPWR compliance checks.

5. PPWR Copilot

PPWR Copilot is a Cardiff-based documentation tool that generates country-specific packaging compliance dossiers in under 60 seconds. The platform maintains a database of requirements across all 27 EU member states plus the UK, automatically selecting recycling symbols (such as PAP 20, GL 70), material codes and country-specific labeling requirements.

It also includes an Article 24 Void Space Calculator flagging packaging exceeding the 50% empty-space threshold.

Website: ppwrcopilot.com

Standout features:

• Country-specific compliance dossiers across 27 EU member states + UK in under 60 seconds
• Automated recycling symbol and material code selection per packaging composition
• Article 24 void-space calculator with compliance traffic-light flagging
• PDF export accepted by Amazon and major distributors
• Free trial available, no credit card required

Limitation: PPWR Copilot covers labeling and documentation generation only, not EPR registration, supplier DoC collection or conformity tracking. 

Best for: E-commerce brands and smaller importers who need fast, affordable packaging documentation, especially teams without a dedicated compliance department.

6. Trace One

Trace One is a product lifecycle management (PLM) platform for food and beverage, cosmetics and specialty chemicals. The platform centralizes packaging specifications, supplier data and regulatory compliance, with PPWR capabilities added to its packaging management module. 

Website: traceone.com

Standout features:

• Full PLM platform with packaging specification management and approval workflows
• Supplier portals for direct data submission and certification updates
• Regulatory compliance dashboard tracking PPWR delegated acts by region
• ERP integration (SAP, PIM, GDSN) with GS1-compliant formatting
• CITEO partnership (France) for localized EPR support

Limitation: Trace One is a full enterprise PLM system with longer implementation timelines and enterprise pricing. Companies needing only PPWR compliance may find it more complex than necessary.

Best for: Large CPG retailers and food/beverage manufacturers already invested in PLM who want PPWR compliance within their existing product development infrastructure.

How does Coolset help importers and distributors with PPWR compliance?

Coolset's PPWR module is built around the workflow that importers and distributors face under the PPWR: collecting documentation from upstream suppliers, tracking conformity across a packaging portfolio and maintaining audit-ready evidence for market surveillance authorities.

The PPWR holds importers and distributors legally accountable from 12 August 2026, even for packaging they did not design.

Article 18 requires importers to verify supplier Declarations of Conformity, hold them for 5 to 10 years and respond to authority requests within 10 days. Article 19 places parallel obligations on distributors. That gap between legal responsibility and operational control is what Coolset addresses.

The workflow follows four steps:

1. Map your packaging portfolio: Import SKU and packaging data, linking each product to its packaging types, materials and suppliers.
2. Collect supplier documentation: Send automated Declaration of Conformity requests through Coolset's supplier portal. The platform tracks response status, sends reminders and validates documents against Annex VIII requirements.
3. Monitor conformity status: A central dashboard shows which SKUs have valid DoCs, which are pending and which have gaps – giving compliance teams real-time readiness visibility.
4. Generate audit-ready evidence: All documentation, conformity assessments and communication logs are stored with timestamped audit trails for Article 18(7) requests.

For companies already using Coolset for EUDR, CSRD or EcoVadis, the PPWR module adds packaging compliance without a new platform or supplier onboarding process.

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Request a demo or explore the PPWR product page.

FAQ

What is the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)? 

The PPWR (Regulation (EU) 2025/40) is an EU regulation replacing the Packaging Directive 94/62/EC. It sets binding rules on recyclability, labeling, substance restrictions and Extended Producer Responsibility for all packaging placed on the EU market. It applies from 12 August 2026.

Who needs to comply with PPWR? 

Manufacturers, importers, distributors, brand owners and fulfillment service providers placing packaged goods on the EU market. Under Article 18, importers must collect Declarations of Conformity from manufacturers and verify compliance. Under Article 21, importers selling under their own brand trigger manufacturer-level obligations.

What is a PPWR Declaration of Conformity (DoC)? 

A self-declaration signed by the packaging manufacturer confirming that a packaging type meets Articles 5–12 of Regulation (EU) 2025/40, following the Annex VIII model structure. Importers must store DoCs for 5 years (single-use) or 10 years (reusable). Read our full guide to the PPWR Declaration of Conformity.

How much does PPWR compliance software cost? 

Pricing varies widely. Documentation tools like PPWR Copilot offer free trials and accessible entry pricing. Full platforms like Coolset use custom pricing based on company size, SKU count and supplier volume. Request demos from shortlisted vendors to compare.

What is the difference between PPWR and the old Packaging Directive? 

The Packaging Directive (94/62/EC) required member states to create national laws, leading to fragmented rules. The PPWR is a regulation directly applicable across all 27 EU member states without national transposition creating uniform requirements for recyclability, labeling and EPR.