PPWR and workwear: what changes from 12 August 2026?

Have you come across the term PPWR and wondered what it means, whether you buy workwear, sell it, or are simply curious about more sustainable packaging? From 12 August 2026, new European packaging legislation takes effect, and it affects the entire chain: from manufacturer to dealer to the person unpacking a new pair of work trousers. In this article we explain what the PPWR is, what changes from August, and what Tricorp takes care of on your behalf.

What exactly is the PPWR?

PPWR stands for Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, formally Regulation (EU) 2025/40. It is the biggest overhaul of European packaging rules in thirty years and replaces the old packaging directive from 1994. The regulation entered into force on 11 February 2025, but on 12 August 2026 the first obligations actually become enforceable.

The goal is clear: less packaging waste, better recyclability, and more transparency throughout the packaging chain. From the effective date, packaging may only be placed on the EU market if it comes with a valid EU Declaration of Conformity (EU-DoC), backed by technical documentation. This applies not only to shipping boxes, but also to polybags, hangtags and other packaging material that workwear reaches your shop or warehouse in.

Because the PPWR is a regulation and not a directive, it applies directly and in the same way in all EU member states. There is no room for national exceptions or a transition period for new packaging.

Why this also matters if you buy workwear yourself

You won't notice the PPWR on the jacket or trousers themselves, since the legislation concerns the packaging around them, not the garment. Still, this is useful to know for anyone who buys with intention, whether that's a company issuing workwear to staff or someone placing an individual order. The PPWR means the box, polybag or hangtag your order arrives in will gradually meet stricter requirements for recyclability and material use. Less unnecessary space in boxes, less unnecessary packaging material, and a mandatory declaration of conformity per packaging type are concrete examples of this.

For companies that purchase workwear and are themselves subject to sustainability reporting or supply chain accountability, it can also be useful to know who in the chain is responsible for that packaging conformity. Which brings us to the question that matters most for dealers.

Who is responsible for what?

The PPWR divides responsibilities per packaging, not per company as a whole. Whoever places packaging on the market under their own name is considered the manufacturer and carries the conformity obligation: drawing up the right documentation, recording material data, and issuing a declaration of conformity.

Tricorp places its packaged products on the European market under its own name. This means we carry that responsibility for the packaging you receive through us. Specifically, we take care of:

• meeting the applicable packaging requirements;
• the technical documentation per packaging type;
• the declarations of conformity that go with it.

For the packaging you receive through Tricorp, you as a dealer have no independent obligations under the PPWR in most cases. You don't need to keep your own file or draw up a declaration of conformity yourself.

Are you a Tricorp dealer? Here's what this means in practice

Little changes in your day-to-day operations. You receive your orders as usual, in packaging that is gradually being adapted to the new requirements. The one moment the PPWR really becomes visible is when a customer asks you about it.

If that happens, you can refer to the statement Tricorp makes available. It confirms that Tricorp is responsible for the PPWR conformity of our packaging and that we manage the related documentation. Note: it is not a packaging-specific declaration of conformity, but it does give you the substantiation you need towards your customer.

You can find the statement here: Download Tricorp's PPWR statement

If you purchase workwear directly from Tricorp as a business or individual and have questions about your order's packaging, our customer service team can help with the same question.

How is Tricorp preparing?

The PPWR isn't introduced all at once. After 12 August 2026, several phases follow through to 2040, including reducing packaging waste, limiting excess space in packaging, and further recyclability requirements. Tricorp therefore works closely with suppliers to have material data, test results and documentation in order in time, and adjusts packaging step by step where needed.

This means you don't need to worry about the legal side of packaging and can keep your attention where it belongs: your customers and your product range.

What can you do yourself?

For Tricorp packaging, little action is required, but a few things are worth knowing.

For dealers:

• Keep Tricorp's statement on hand, so you can share it directly if asked.
• If you add your own private-label or additional packaging, check whether you count as manufacturer or importer for that packaging yourself. That responsibility falls outside what Tricorp arranges for you.
• If your customers themselves fall under PPWR reporting obligations (for example larger business clients), Tricorp's statement can help support their own documentation.

For businesses purchasing workwear and general visitors:

• Want to know who's responsible for the packaging of your order? With Tricorp, that's Tricorp itself, so no action is needed on your part.
• Do you, as an organisation, fall under sustainability or supply chain reporting yourself? It may help to know that suppliers such as Tricorp have already arranged their own packaging responsibility, so you don't need to investigate this separately.

Frequently asked questions about PPWR and workwear

Will I notice anything of the PPWR in my order as a customer? Barely, in the short term. Your order's packaging is being gradually adapted to the new requirements, but this has no impact on the workwear itself or how you order.

Do I need to draw up a declaration of conformity myself as a dealer? No, not for the packaging you receive through Tricorp. Tricorp draws this up and manages the related documentation.

Does the PPWR also apply to polybags and hangtags? Yes. The PPWR applies to all packaging that protects, transports or presents products, so this includes polybags and hangtags, not just shipping boxes.

Does the PPWR change anything about delivery times or the ordering process? Not directly. Packaging adjustments happen gradually, without affecting how you order or when you receive delivery.

Where can I find the official rules? The full text of the regulation is available on the European Commission's website. For Dutch context, you can also consult information from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).

Questions? We're here to help

Are you a dealer with questions about the PPWR, or are your customers asking you about it? Please contact your Tricorp representative. Do you purchase workwear directly from us and want to know more about our packaging? Our customer service team is happy to help. Either way, we're here to help you move forward with confidence.