What changes in 2030 for transport packaging?

Transit packaging will have a maximum empty space ratio and a mandatory recycled content share

From 2030, two additional requirements will apply to transit packaging that do not yet apply: a limit on the amount of empty space in the package, and a mandatory share of recycled material in plastic packaging. Where the Regulation focuses until 2026 mainly on labelling, a declaration of conformity and registration, these two rules also introduce a requirement for the filling and material composition of the packaging itself. This particularly affects online retailers that ship boxes with filling material, air cushions or additional inner packaging.

The empty space ratio from Article 24 applies to transit and grouped packaging that reaches the end user directly: the greater the difference between the external dimensions of the box and the actual contents, the more that space is filled with filling material or air. From 2030, the Regulation sets a limit to this, which in practice means that packaging format and fill level must be coordinated with each other. Article 7 regulates a different part of the same packaging: the mandatory share of recycled material in plastic packaging. Both obligations apply to everyone placing plastic transit packaging on the market, regardless of which Member State this happens in — the Regulation works the same way everywhere, with no difference per country.

Where this comes from: Article 24 and Article 7 of the Regulation

That the empty space ratio and the mandatory recycled content share apply from 2030 follows from Article 24 and Article 7 of Regulation (EU) 2025/40. Both articles are part of the same Regulation that has applied directly in each Member State since 12 August 2026, but have a later effective date for these two specific obligations. For the precise threshold values, the calculation method behind the empty space ratio and the percentages of recycled material per plastic type, the text of these articles refers to the official source itself.