Ontex Enhances Capabilities to Support Clients with PPWR Regulation
Ontex is boosting its capabilities to assist clients with the obligations of the European PPWR regulation, which will generally apply from August 12, 2026. The hygiene products manufacturer is focusing on the management of packaging-related information, which has become as crucial as the packaging itself.
Beyond Compliant Packaging, Documentation Becomes Mandatory
The PPWR, effective from February 2025, requires companies to not only have compliant packaging but also the ability to demonstrate this compliance through reliable documentation and evidence. According to Ana Ferreira, Director of Regulatory Advocacy at Ontex, the challenge no longer lies solely in the design of the packaging, but in mastering the data that accompanies it.
The requests for information on packaging will increase and become more specific. Clients, distributors, and business partners now ask not only which packaging is used, but also its composition, how it meets regulatory requirements, and whether there is supporting documentation. Ontex illustrates this evolution with the example of a diaper: it is now necessary to consider not only the finished product but also the bag, the box, the pallet, and the stretch film that accompany it to the customer.
Ontex Invests in Packaging Data Traceability
The group is building its capabilities to meet packaging information requests, provide supporting documentation, and share its regulatory expertise. Ontex is investing in training its commercial teams and enhancing packaging data management within the group to better serve its clients.
This support includes responding to information requests, providing technical documentation, and assisting with navigating new obligations. Concurrently, Ontex is engaging its suppliers to improve the quality, consistency, and traceability of data. The group emphasizes that compliance with the PPWR is not the responsibility of a single department: regulatory, packaging, procurement, sustainability, IT, operations, and commercial teams must all contribute.
PPWR as a Lever for Extended Traceability
Ontex positions the PPWR as a lever to enhance traceability and transparency beyond mere packaging. Future initiatives, such as the Digital Product Passport (DPP), will underscore the importance of reliable and traceable information. For companies, success will depend on the ability to build the necessary processes, partnerships, and information flows to meet the next generation of sustainability and transparency requirements.
