KASAD and SEKAMSAN Prepare Carton Packaging Sector for PPWR and EUDR Regulations

The Traditional Cardboard Packaging Seminar, organized jointly by the Cardboard Packaging Manufacturers Association (KASAD) and SEKAMSAN Paper & Cardboard, brought together sector representatives to discuss the European Union's new sustainability-focused regulations.

Held on 1 July at the Istanbul Chamber of Industry, the event covered the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), FSC practices, EUDR-compliant FSC implementation modules, and support mechanisms under the Green Deal.

At the seminar, the changes expected to be introduced in the cardboard packaging sector by the PPWR and EUDR regulations, which are set to take effect in 2026, were comprehensively evaluated across design, production, raw material procurement, certification, and export processes.

"PPWR is now a strategic necessity for the sector"
Opening the seminar, KASAD Board Member Emre Can Ertem noted that the cardboard packaging sector is undergoing an important transformation aligned with sustainability and circular economy objectives.

Ertem stated that PPWR and EUDR are not merely new regulations, but strategic measures that will affect the entire value chain from production to design, raw material procurement to export.

"For exporters operating in the European Union market, being prepared for this process is no longer a choice but a necessity. As KASAD, we continue our efforts to ensure that our members are prepared for this transformation in the strongest possible way," he said.

SEKAMSAN Paper & Cardboard Board Member Melih Cem Erdoğan emphasized that sustainability, traceability, and regulatory compliance have become fundamental elements of competitive advantage, drawing attention to the fact that PPWR and EUDR will affect not only companies exporting to the EU but the entire supply chain.

A new era begins in the packaging sector with PPWR
Esma Şanlıtürk, Trade Specialist at the Ministry of Commerce International Agreements and EU General Directorate EU Single Market and Green Deal Department, conveyed that the EU aims for all packaging on the European market to be recyclable by 2030 under PPWR.

The presentation evaluated the sector's obligations across packaging design, post-use processes, restrictions on hazardous substances, reduction of unnecessary packaging use, reuse, recycling, technical documentation, declaration of conformity, labelling, and extended producer responsibility.

The setting of a 2030 recycling target of 85 percent for paper and cardboard packaging once again demonstrated the sector's critical role in the circular economy.

Banu Özkaya Yarbaş, Corporate Sustainability and Quality Management Systems Manager at Duran Doğan Ambalaj, shared her company's experience in PPWR preparations, emphasizing the importance of exporters closely monitoring regulatory updates.

Traceable supply chains are critical under EUDR
Another major agenda item at the seminar was the EUDR regulation.

Fatma Taycı, FSC Turkey Supply Chain Specialist, outlined FSC's role in the EUDR compliance process, while Fadime Karagöz, EUDR Compliance Assessment Certification Manager at SBG, addressed company responsibilities under the EUDR-Compliant FSC Implementation Module.

The speakers stressed that products presented to the European Union market must be proven not to contribute to deforestation, and drew attention to the importance of traceability, due diligence obligations, and risk management, particularly in paper and cardboard products.

While Turkey's classification in the low-risk category was noted as providing a sector advantage, companies were emphasized to fully prepare their supply chain processes.

Green transition support mechanisms shared with sector representatives
Within the scope of the seminar, information was provided by Rümeysa Okumuş, Specialist at the Ministry of Commerce Export General Directorate UR-GE and Green Transition Support Department, on support mechanisms available to exporting companies under the Green Deal, PPWR, and EUDR.

The program also reviewed market entry certificates, Green Deal Compliance Project Support, and sustainability-focused certification processes.

KASAD: "We will continue to guide the transformation process"
Speaking at the close of the seminar, KASAD Secretary General Erol Gül stated that the event's primary purpose was to ensure sector representatives were timely prepared for PPWR and EUDR implementation.

Gül noted that although the new regulations impose significant technical responsibilities, they present important opportunities in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, combating climate change, and achieving circular economy objectives.

KASAD will continue its efforts in the coming period to promote the cardboard packaging sector's compliance with EU regulations, sustainable production, traceable supply chains, and increased international competitiveness.