Pallet wrap stays. Brussels has dropped the 100% reuse requirement but kept three others

For two years, logistics managers have been asking whether they will have to secure pallets with something reusable in 2030. The answer came in Commission Delegated Decision (EU) 2026/429: pallet wrap and straps are exempt from the 100% reusable packaging requirement for internal and domestic transport. That is the good news. The bad news is that most companies will remember only this, and from 2030 three other PPWR requirements will judge the film on the pallet.

01 What Decision 2026/429 actually changed

Commission Delegated Decision (EU) 2026/429 of 25 February 2026 is the first delegated act issued under the PPWR. It was published in the Official Journal on 6 May and applies from 26 May 2026.

The Commission’s reasoning: forcing reusable pallet securing systems would mean disproportionate costs for rebuilding packaging lines, automation is not ready for it, and the risk of supply chain disruption is real.

02 Myth: “the film stays, so nothing changes”

The exemption covers one obligation. The other three remain in force, and each one goes straight to the film specification:

On paper, these are four separate articles of the regulation. On the line, they are one question: how many grams of which film does it take for the pallet to arrive intact?

03 Who is responsible

The PPWR divides obligations between the packaging manufacturer, the party placing it on the market and the end user. The packaging manufacturer answers for recycled content; whoever does the packing answers for the reuse targets and minimisation. If you are not sure which role you hold, start with the article Who are you under the PPWR?

The practical consequence: a buyer who compares film offers on price per kilogram today will, in 2030, need three documents from the supplier: a PCR content declaration, a recyclability assessment of the structure and proof that the weight per pallet is technically justified.

04 What already makes a difference today: weight per pallet

Minimisation and recyclate meet in one place: grams of film per pallet. Fewer grams mean lower fees, less recyclate to buy and a simpler audit.

Each of these results came after a trial on the customer’s line, not a change to a data sheet. Downgauging without a trial earns you a complaint, not a saving.

05 What to do by the end of 2027

1. Calculate the film weight per pallet for your three most important pallet formats.
2. Ask your supplier for two documents: the current PCR share for each item number and the layer structure for recycling.
3. Plan one downgauging trial on your highest-volume line. Reply to your enquiry within 24 h, quotation within 48 h of receiving complete data.

FAQ Frequently asked questions about pallet wrap and the PPWR

Will stretch film for pallet wrapping be banned from 2030?

No. Commission Delegated Decision (EU) 2026/429 exempts pallet wrap and straps from the 100% reusable packaging requirement for internal and domestic transport. The film remains permitted.

Which PPWR requirements still apply to pallet wrap?

From 2030: 35% minimum recycled content (Article 7), recyclability performance grade (Article 6, criteria by 1 January 2028), minimisation of weight and volume (Article 10) and the general target of 40% reusable transport packaging (Article 29(1)).

Are stretch hoods and shrink sleeves also exempt from the reuse requirement?

Decision 2026/429 refers to pallet wrappings and straps used to stabilise the load, in practice stretch film. The status of stretch hoods and shrink sleeves is worth confirming with a compliance adviser.

When does Decision 2026/429 apply?

It was adopted on 25 February 2026, published in the Official Journal of the EU on 6 May 2026 and applies from 26 May 2026.

Legal status as at 24 October 2026: Regulation (EU) 2025/40 (PPWR) and Commission Delegated Decision (EU) 2026/429 (OJ of 6 May 2026). This article is for information only and does not constitute legal advice.