EU Regulation 2025/40, known as the PPWR, will change the way various sectors, from hospitality to food service, from fruit and vegetables to beauty, manage packaging and single-use products. Here is what the regulation actually bans, which supply chains are affected, and why.
What the PPWR is and why it also concerns beauty
First of all, let us explain what the PPWR is. The acronym stands for Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. It is a European Union regulation, in force since February 2025, that establishes common rules for all Member States to make packaging and waste management more sustainable, from design through to disposal. Further obligations were introduced on 12 August 2026, and they will be phased in progressively until 2030.
Contrary to what many people think, the PPWR does not concern only the food sector: it covers the entire life cycle of packaging and directly affects cosmetics and hygiene products as well, in particular single-use formats distributed in the hospitality channel.
Why the EU wants to eliminate single-use packaging
In addition to harmonising rules across the EU, the new PPWR has a specific goal: to reduce packaging waste in high-turnover channels, such as hospitality, in order to encourage recycling and reuse. A further, knock-on aim is to limit single-use plastics, especially the most problematic ones (PFAS and microplastics).
What the PPWR bans from 2030 in the cosmetics sector and what remains permitted
From January 2030, it will no longer be possible to place the following on the EU market:
- single-use mini bottles of shampoo, conditioner, lotions and body creams
- individually wrapped sachets or soap bars
- single-use packaging tied to a single overnight stay
The following remain permitted:
- travel sizes sold at retail;
- samples distributed in perfumeries, at events or via e-commerce;
- all non-single-use solutions: wall-mounted dispensers, refill systems, reusable formats.
Who is affected by the ban on single-use samples
The regulation involves more sectors than one might think. Let us go in order, to be as clear as possible. As you might imagine, one of the most directly affected sectors is hospitality, meaning hotels, resorts, B&Bs and farm stays, where the ban applies to single-use bathroom items provided per booking. But the regulation’s effects also reach the restaurant and catering sector (HoReCa), eliminating single-portion plastic packs of sauces, condiments and sugar, while in the fruit and vegetable sector the ban applies to plastic packaging under 1.5 kg.
The regulation also requires a traceable and documented packaging supply chain: a declaration of conformity for each type of packaging, a technical file with material data, and identification of type, batch or series on every unit. In short, nothing is left to interpretation; everything must follow the principle of transparency.
Camorak too is affected, albeit in a cross-cutting way: as a contract manufacturing cosmetics laboratory supplying the hotel industry with hospitality kits, we must redesign our offering and strengthen the technical documentation that supports our clients.
What changes for a contract manufacturing cosmetics laboratory
For a contract manufacturing cosmetics laboratory like Camorak, this regulation represents a new challenge, one we face without fear: since 1964 we have been through many regulatory changes, always seeing them as an opportunity to grow alongside clients who are often disoriented and confused.
This transition must be managed on several fronts. The first is the redesign of the hospitality offering, moving from mini bottles to bathroom dispensers, standardised refills and reusable formats. This is accompanied by the adaptation of materials and suppliers, which requires verifying recyclability, checking limits on PFAS and heavy metals, and testing compatibility between formula and packaging (certainly the most demanding challenge). A third aspect concerns technical documentation, which will require declarations of conformity, technical data sheets and material traceability to support clients.
Finally, there is the question of stock between 2026 and 2029: it will be inevitable to gradually reduce stocks of single-use products and progressively convert price lists towards the new compliant solutions.
Our point of view: yes to the Green Deal, but together with those who work in the field
As a contract manufacturing cosmetics laboratory with over 60 years of experience alongside hotels, brands and distributors, we do not question the underlying objective of the PPWR. Reducing packaging waste, particularly in high-turnover channels such as hospitality, is a concrete priority that can no longer be postponed. The European Green Deal, in its overall framework, is heading in the right direction.
What we question is the method. Regulations of this scale are often written without a structured and constructive dialogue with those who are required to comply with the rules. Those who work in the field know the technical constraints, the time needed to convert production lines, the real availability of alternative materials and the cost impacts that rarely emerge during the drafting phase.
The result is a more complex transition: companies find themselves chasing deadlines that have already been set, instead of being able to build them together, with technically sound solutions from day one. A regulation designed with a permanent forum for discussion between institutions and industry professionals from every sector involved (beauty, HoReCa, fruit and vegetables, packaging) could have achieved the same environmental goal with a clearer, faster and cheaper path for the entire supply chain.
The topic is certainly a hot one, and there will be no shortage of opportunities to explore it further. We remain vigilant on all forthcoming updates so that we can share them with those who follow us.
What we can do for those in the cosmetics business
Even though industry associations are keeping the debate on the subject alive, Camorak’s team wants to support hotels, brands and distributors through the PPWR transition in a reassuring and constructive way. We are available for consulting on the conversion plan, for the development of formulas suited to dispensers and refill systems, and for the selection of compliant packaging and the related technical documentation.
FAQ: what we have been asked most about single-use samples
Does the ban also apply to samples in perfumeries?No. The PPWR only targets single-use items distributed in the hospitality channel per booking; samples sold at retail, via e-commerce or distributed at events remain permitted.
What must a hotel do to comply? Plan, by 2029, the switch to dispensers or reusable formats, evaluating costs, guest experience and supplier reliability.
How do you convert a hospitality line to PPWR compliance? Through a review of current formats and the choice of compliant dispensers and refills. Support from a well-prepared contract manufacturing cosmetics laboratory is also recommended, including for all the documentation.
Since when is the PPWR in force, and when does the ban take effect? The regulation has been in force since 12 August 2026; the ban on single-use bathroom items for hospitality will apply from 1 January 2030.
Camorak is a contract manufacturing cosmetics laboratories based in Emilia Romagna. Since 1964, we have been working with emerging brands, pharmacies, SMEs and established large-scale retail companies, developing innovative skincare cosmetics that are thoughtfully formulated, effective, scientifically documented and consistent with their market positioning. If you’d like to find out more about us, click here
