EU Harmonised Waste Sorting Labels – JRC Technical Proposal

Topic: PACKAGING LABELLING - HARMONISED WASTE SORTING LABELS

Date of publication: 13 January 2026

The European Commission's Joint Research Centre has published a technical proposal for harmonised waste sorting labels that will inform the development of implementing acts under the new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), establishing a unified labelling system across all Member States.

What’s new?

On the 13^th of January 2026, the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) published a technical proposal on EU harmonised waste sorting labels. This document provides the scientific, technical, and behavioral evidence base to support the Directorate-General for Environment (DG-ENV) in preparing the acts required under Articles 12 and 13 of Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on Packaging and Packaging Waste (PPWR).

The proposal addresses a critical harmonization challenge: the differences of labelling systems across EU Member States, which creates internal market barriers and consumer confusion. With packaging waste reaching 84 million tons annually and recycling rates varying dramatically between Member States, the JRC proposal aims to establish a unified approach to waste sorting labels applicable to both packaging and waste receptacles.

This proposal is non-binding but highly influential, as it will serve as the primary technical input for the Commission’s mandatory implementing acts.

Key elements:

The JRC recommends a material-based labelling system with matching labels on packaging and waste receptacles, enabling consumers to identify the material composition of packaging through visual pictograms and match packaging labels to corresponding bin labels for correct disposal.

The proposal specifies 20 distinct material categories, including: Paper and cardboard, Glass, Plastic, Composites, Metal, Compostable, Textile, Ceramic, Wood and Cork, Hazardous and Residual.

The proposal addresses critical design considerations:

Pictogram-based system as the core visual element for universal recognition

Colour as an optional element

Text elements to supplement pictograms where necessary

QR codes for country-specific guidance and accessibility features

How the proposed harmonised labels look like:

What now?

The European Commission has until the 12^th of August 2026 to adopt implementing acts establishing harmonised labels and specifications for labelling requirements.

The harmonised labelling obligations will take effect on the 12^th of August 2028, or 24 months after the act implementation. By then, all packaging must comply with the new labelling system, and it shall be available prior to purchase, including online purchases.

The JRC proposal is advisory and not legally binding. The final implementing acts adopted by DG-ENV may differ from the JRC recommendations.

References:

Bruns, H., Borsello, A., Dupoux, M., Hamarat, Y., Milios, L. et al., JRC technical proposal on EU harmonised waste sorting labels under the packaging and packaging waste regulation, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2026

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