If you are sourcing PPWR compostable shopping bags for supermarkets, grocery stores or retail chains in Europe, thickness is no longer only a cost and strength question.
A 12 μm bag, a 25 μm T-shirt bag and a 60 μm carrier bag do not sit in the same PPWR category.
And one common assumption needs to be cleared up first:
PPWR does not require every shopping bag in the EU to become compostable.
For compostable carrier bags, buyers need to look at several rules together:
- Article 9(2) — when Member States may require compostable carrier bags;
- the 15 μm and 50 μm definitions;
- Article 34 — reduction of lightweight plastic carrier bags;
- Annex V — restrictions affecting very lightweight plastic carrier bags from 2030;
- the finished bag’s certification, printing and technical documents.
So the right question is not simply:
“Is this shopping bag compostable?”
A more useful question is:
“Which PPWR rules apply to this carrier bag in the country where I will sell it?”
That is the question I would answer before approving the specification.
For the wider regulatory framework, read our PPWR compostable packaging guide.
PPWR Compostable Shopping Bags: The Short Answer
Can EU retailers use compostable shopping bags?
Potentially, yes, subject to the applicable PPWR and national requirements.
Does PPWR require all lightweight shopping bags to be compostable?
No.
Article 9(2) allows an EU Member State to require certain very lightweight and lightweight plastic carrier bags to be compostable when the conditions in the Regulation are met.
That is a Member State option.
It is not one automatic EU-wide compostability rule.
At the same time, Article 34 requires Member States to reduce consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags.
From 2030, Annex V also restricts many very lightweight plastic carrier bags, with specific exceptions.
This gives carrier-bag buyers several rules to check at once.
What Is a Plastic Carrier Bag Under PPWR?
PPWR defines a plastic carrier bag as a carrier bag:
- made of plastic;
- with or without handles;
- supplied to consumers at the point of sale of products.
This covers many common retail formats.
Examples can include:
- T-shirt shopping bags;
- vest-style carrier bags;
- die-cut handle bags;
- loop-handle bags;
- some thin grocery bags;
- some produce bags supplied at retail.
The bag’s thickness then determines which PPWR carrier-bag category it falls into.
Source: Regulation (EU) 2025/40, Article 3.
PPWR Carrier Bag Thickness Categories
PPWR uses four thickness categories.
| Carrier bag category | Wall thickness |
|---|---|
| Very lightweight plastic carrier bag | Below 15 μm |
| Lightweight plastic carrier bag | Below 50 μm |
| Thick plastic carrier bag | 50–99 μm |
| Very thick plastic carrier bag | Above 99 μm |
The <15 μm category sits within the broader group of bags below 50 μm, but PPWR gives very lightweight bags their own definition because some rules treat them separately.
This is why thickness belongs on your RFQ.
Do not ask only for:
300 × 500 mm shopping bag.
Ask for:
300 × 500 mm
20 μm
T-shirt handle
Compostable material
One-colour printing
Market: Germany
That gives the supplier a much clearer product.
What Is the PPWR 15 μm Rule?
A plastic carrier bag with a wall thickness below 15 μm is defined as a very lightweight plastic carrier bag.
Think about bags such as:
- 8 μm;
- 10 μm;
- 12 μm;
- 14 μm.
These very thin bags are often used for loose food or short carrying tasks.
PPWR gives them special attention.
The Regulation notes that very lightweight bags have a high risk of becoming waste and contributing to litter.
By 2030, Annex V restricts very lightweight plastic carrier bags, except for specific uses such as bags needed for hygiene or provided as sales packaging for loose food where this helps prevent food waste.
That means a 12 μm general checkout bag and a 12 μm bag needed to package loose wet food may not have the same regulatory position.
The use case matters.
What Is the PPWR 50 μm Rule?
PPWR defines a lightweight plastic carrier bag as a plastic carrier bag with a wall thickness below 50 μm.
This includes many common retail shopping bags.
For example:
- 18 μm;
- 20 μm;
- 25 μm;
- 30 μm;
- 40 μm.
A 20 μm compostable T-shirt bag used at a supermarket checkout therefore falls within the lightweight carrier-bag definition.
This matters because both:
Article 9(2)
and
Article 34
can become relevant.
A buyer should not choose 20 μm only because it has the right strength and price.
You also need to understand the target-market rules.
Does a Compostable Shopping Bag Still Count as Plastic?
Yes, it can.
This point is easy to misunderstand.
A bag made from biodegradable polymers such as PBAT and PLA may be compostable, but that does not automatically remove it from the PPWR definition of plastic.
PPWR defines plastic broadly around polymers that can act as the main structural component of packaging.
The Regulation also separately refers to biodegradable plastic packaging.
So:
Compostable plastic can still be plastic under PPWR.
For a PBAT/PLA compostable carrier bag, I would therefore not ignore the 15 μm and 50 μm carrier-bag rules simply because the material is biodegradable.
Material property and regulatory classification are different questions.
Does PPWR Require Compostable Shopping Bags?
Not across the whole EU.
This is where PPWR Article 9(2) becomes important.
Article 9(2) allows Member States to require certain packaging to be compostable where suitable bio-waste collection and treatment conditions exist.
This includes:
- very lightweight plastic carrier bags;
- lightweight plastic carrier bags.
But several conditions sit behind that rule.
The Member State must have the relevant bio-waste collection and waste-treatment infrastructure so that the compostable packaging can actually enter the bio-waste management stream.
In simple terms:
A compostable shopping bag makes little regulatory sense if the local waste system cannot handle it as intended.
That is why Article 9(2) leaves this decision partly to Member States.
Source: Regulation (EU) 2025/40, Article 9(2).
For a full explanation of Article 9(1), Article 9(2) and Article 9(3), read our PPWR Article 9 guide.
Article 9(2): EU Rule or National Rule?
This distinction is important.
Article 9(1) creates EU-wide compostability requirements for certain specific packaging formats.
Article 9(2) is different.
For lightweight and very lightweight carrier bags, it gives Member States the option to require compostability when the stated conditions are met.
So this statement is too broad:
“PPWR requires all lightweight shopping bags to be compostable.”
A more accurate statement is:
PPWR allows Member States to require qualifying lightweight and very lightweight plastic carrier bags to be compostable under the conditions set out in Article 9(2).
This difference matters when sourcing bags for more than one European country.
Why the Target EU Member State Matters
Suppose you manufacture one bag:
300 + 80 × 2 × 550 mm
22 μm
T-shirt handle
Green
One-colour print
The physical bag does not change.
But the customer wants to distribute it in:
- Germany;
- France;
- Italy;
- the Netherlands.
You should not automatically assume the same compostability claim and disposal wording can be used everywhere.
Member States can have different:
- carrier-bag measures;
- waste-collection systems;
- compostability requirements;
- economic instruments;
- consumer instructions;
- national implementation practices.
So instead of writing this in an RFQ:
Destination: EU
write:
Target markets: Germany and Austria
The more specific the market, the easier the compliance review becomes.
What Does PPWR Article 34 Require?
Article 34 deals specifically with plastic carrier bags.
Its main goal is to reduce the consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags.
Member States must take measures to achieve a sustained reduction.
PPWR treats that reduction as achieved where annual consumption does not exceed:
40 lightweight plastic carrier bags per person per year
or an equivalent target by weight.
The target applies on an ongoing annual basis.
Source: Regulation (EU) 2025/40, Article 34.
This matters because switching from conventional plastic to compostable plastic does not automatically remove the bag from the carrier-bag reduction policy.
A compostable bag can still be a lightweight plastic carrier bag.
Does Compostability Exempt a Shopping Bag From Article 34?
No automatic exemption exists simply because the bag is compostable.
Article 34 says Member State measures should consider factors such as:
- environmental impact;
- composting properties;
- durability;
- intended use.
But the overall goal is still to reduce lightweight carrier-bag consumption.
So this argument is too simple:
“The bag is compostable, therefore carrier-bag reduction rules do not apply.”
That is not how PPWR works.
Compostability can be relevant to how a Member State designs its measures.
It does not erase the reduction objective.
What Can Member States Do Under Article 34?
Member States have room to choose measures.
These can include:
- marketing restrictions;
- economic instruments;
- national reduction targets;
- other measures aimed at reducing plastic carrier-bag consumption.
PPWR also allows Member States to take measures for plastic carrier bags of any thickness, not only those below 50 μm.
This is important if you think:
“I will simply make the bag 55 μm and all carrier-bag rules disappear.”
That is not a safe assumption.
A 55 μm bag is outside the PPWR definition of a lightweight plastic carrier bag.
But Article 34 still allows Member States to use measures such as economic instruments or national reduction targets for other plastic carrier bags.
Thickness can change the category.
It does not automatically remove every national rule.
What Happens to Very Lightweight Bags From 2030?
Another important date is:
1 January 2030
Article 25 and Annex V restrict certain single-use packaging formats from that date.
Annex V includes very lightweight plastic carrier bags.
However, it provides exceptions for very lightweight bags that are:
- required for hygiene reasons; or
- provided as sales packaging for loose food where this helps prevent food waste.
Source: Regulation (EU) 2025/40, Article 25 and Annex V.
This is particularly relevant to the <15 μm category.
A 12 μm Checkout Bag vs a 12 μm Loose-Food Bag
Consider two bags with exactly the same thickness.
Bag A
12 μm checkout shopping bag
The shopper uses it to carry groceries home.
Bag B
12 μm bag for loose wet or fresh food
It is used because direct containment helps with hygiene or reduces food waste.
Both are below 15 μm.
But their intended uses are different.
Under the Annex V restriction, those uses can matter.
This is why product classification cannot be based on thickness alone.
You need:
thickness + use + market.
What About 20 μm Compostable Shopping Bags?
This is a common specification.
A 20 μm shopping bag is:
- above 15 μm;
- below 50 μm.
So it is not a very lightweight carrier bag.
It is still a lightweight plastic carrier bag.
For an EU project, I would review:
- Article 9(2) — does the target Member State require compostability?
- Article 34 — which carrier-bag reduction measures apply?
- Material and compostability evidence.
- Printing and environmental claims.
- Target-market disposal instructions.
- Finished-product documentation.
The bag may be technically simple.
The compliance review is wider.
What About a 60 μm Compostable Shopping Bag?
Now change the thickness to:
60 μm
That puts the bag in PPWR’s thick plastic carrier bag category of 50–99 μm.
It is no longer a lightweight carrier bag.
That changes which specific provisions need to be reviewed.
For example, the Article 34 target of 40 lightweight bags per person is focused on lightweight carrier bags.
But Article 34 also allows Member States to introduce measures concerning other plastic carrier bags regardless of thickness.
So do not interpret:
“Above 50 μm”
as:
“No PPWR or national carrier-bag rules.”
The correct answer is more limited:
The bag changes regulatory category.
Then you need to review what that means in the target market.
Does a Thicker Bag Automatically Count as Reusable?
Do not assume that.
Thickness can improve:
- carrying strength;
- tear resistance;
- load capacity;
- number of potential uses.
But calling packaging “reusable” under PPWR involves more than simply increasing thickness.
If reuse is part of your packaging strategy or claim, it should be assessed against the relevant PPWR reuse requirements and actual intended system.
For an ordinary shopping-bag RFQ, I would keep the terms separate:
- thicker;
- durable;
- reusable.
They do not always mean the same thing.
How Article 9 and Article 34 Work Together
This is one of the most useful ways to understand PPWR compostable shopping bags.
Article 9 asks:
Should or may this packaging be compostable?
Article 34 asks:
How should Member States reduce the consumption of plastic carrier bags?
Those are different questions.
A Member State could decide that certain lightweight carrier bags should be compostable under Article 9(2).
That does not mean the country must encourage unlimited use of those bags.
Article 34 can still push toward reduced carrier-bag consumption.
So:
Compostability is not a substitute for waste prevention.
This is consistent with the wider PPWR approach.
Does EN 13432 Make a Shopping Bag PPWR Compliant?
No.
EN 13432 remains an important reference for industrial compostability.
But it does not answer all the PPWR questions for a carrier bag.
For example, EN 13432 does not by itself determine:
- whether the bag is below 15 μm;
- whether it is below 50 μm;
- whether Article 9(2) applies in the target Member State;
- which Article 34 measures apply;
- whether Annex V affects the bag;
- whether labelling is correct;
- whether technical documentation is complete.
So:
EN 13432 certificate ≠ complete PPWR compliance.
For the detailed difference between the regulation and the compostability standard, read our PPWR vs EN 13432 guide.
Raw Material Certificate vs Finished Shopping Bag
This is another place where buyers can make a simple mistake.
Suppose you order:
450 × 550 mm
22 μm
T-shirt handle
Dark green
White logo
25 kg load target
Your supplier sends a compostability certificate for the raw material.
That is useful.
But your finished bag also includes:
- film formulation;
- colour masterbatch;
- printing ink;
- thickness;
- bag construction.
So ask:
- Does the available evidence cover the finished film?
- Does it cover 22 μm?
- Is the colour masterbatch within the relevant scope?
- What printing ink is used?
- Is the finished printed bag covered?
- Is the certificate current?
The finished bag is what your customer receives.
That is what your documentation should match.
Industrial Compostable vs Home Compostable Shopping Bags
These claims should not be mixed.
Industrial compostable
The bag is designed to biodegrade under controlled industrial composting conditions.
Home compostable
The bag is expected to biodegrade under less controlled home-composting conditions.
Those are different environments.
An EN 13432 industrial-compostability certificate does not automatically support a:
HOME COMPOSTABLE
claim.
If your retail artwork includes that wording, ask for specific home-compostability evidence.
Do this before printing.
PPWR Labelling for Compostable Carrier Bags
Labelling is another reason not to finalise artwork too early.
Where a carrier bag is required to be compostable under the applicable Article 9 pathway, PPWR labelling requirements can become relevant.
The buyer may need to consider information about:
- compostability;
- correct disposal;
- whether home composting is appropriate;
- avoiding littering;
- harmonised packaging labels as they become applicable.
For private-label bags, the best order is:
Market → regulation → evidence → claim → artwork.
Not:
Artwork → claim → ask supplier for certificate later.
Is “Biodegradable Shopping Bag” a Good Claim?
I would be careful with it.
“Biodegradable” is broad.
It does not tell the customer:
- where the bag breaks down;
- how long it takes;
- under what conditions;
- which disposal stream is correct.
A supported and specific compostability claim is easier to explain.
But even then, avoid claims such as:
“Breaks down anywhere.”
“Leaves no impact.”
“Just throw it away.”
A compostable bag still needs the correct disposal route.
And PPWR does not treat littering as composting.
A Practical Example: 20 μm T-Shirt Shopping Bag
Suppose an EU retailer asks for:
450 × 550 mm
20 μm
Compostable
T-shirt handle
Green
Two-colour logo
100,000 bags
How should you review it?
Step 1 — Thickness
20 μm is below 50 μm.
It is a lightweight plastic carrier bag.
Step 2 — Target market
Which Member State?
Do not stop at “Europe.”
Step 3 — Article 9(2)
Has the target Member State required this category to be compostable under the applicable conditions?
Step 4 — Article 34
What carrier-bag reduction or economic measures apply?
Step 5 — Compostability evidence
Does it cover:
- finished film;
- 20 μm;
- green masterbatch;
- two-colour printing?
Step 6 — Artwork
What environmental claim will be printed?
Step 7 — Documentation
What product and PPWR-related technical documents are needed?
Now you have a sourcing review.
Not just a price request.
Another Example: 12 μm General Shopping Bag
Suppose the same retailer asks for a:
12 μm general checkout bag.
Now another issue appears.
The bag is below 15 μm.
That means it is a very lightweight plastic carrier bag.
From 2030, Annex V restricts very lightweight plastic carrier bags except for specified hygiene and loose-food uses.
A general shopping bag used only to carry products may not fit those exceptions.
So simply making a checkout bag thinner to reduce unit cost can create a very different regulatory question.
That is a good example of why:
cheapest specification ≠ best market specification.
Five Questions to Ask a Shopping Bag Supplier
For an EU carrier-bag project, I would ask these first.
1. What is the finished film thickness?
Get the answer in μm.
2. Which PPWR carrier-bag category does it fall into?
Below 15 μm?
Below 50 μm?
50–99 μm?
Above 99 μm?
3. What exactly is certified?
Raw material?
Film?
Finished printed bag?
4. Which market is the specification intended for?
Member State rules matter.
5. What claim will be printed?
Industrial compostable?
Home compostable?
Biodegradable?
Recyclable?
The claim should match the evidence and the applicable waste pathway.
Common PPWR Shopping Bag Mistakes
Mistake 1: “All lightweight bags must become compostable.”
No.
Article 9(2) gives Member States an option under defined conditions.
Mistake 2: “A compostable bag is not plastic.”
Not necessarily.
Biodegradable polymer bags can still fall under PPWR’s plastic carrier-bag definitions.
Mistake 3: “Above 50 μm means no carrier-bag rules.”
Too broad.
It changes the category, but Member States can still take measures for other plastic carrier bags.
Mistake 4: “EN 13432 means full PPWR compliance.”
No.
It addresses industrial compostability, not the full regulatory framework.
Mistake 5: “A 12 μm checkout bag is safe because it uses less material.”
Not necessarily.
Very lightweight carrier bags face a separate 2030 Annex V restriction, subject to limited exceptions.
Mistake 6: “The same bag and artwork can be sold everywhere in the EU.”
Do not assume that.
Check the target Member State.
What Documents Should EU Shopping Bag Buyers Ask For?
I would divide the documents into three groups.
Compostability documents
- EN 13432 evidence;
- certificate number;
- certificate holder;
- validity;
- certification scope;
- finished-product coverage where relevant;
- home-compostability evidence if that claim is used.
Product documents
- material specification;
- finished-bag specification;
- width and length;
- thickness;
- colour;
- handle type;
- printing;
- ink;
- masterbatch;
- packing format.
PPWR-related documents
Depending on the project:
- technical documentation;
- applicable conformity-assessment information;
- product identification;
- traceability;
- EU Declaration of Conformity;
- labelling information.
Do not accept a pile of unrelated certificates just because the folder looks impressive.
The documents should match the bag.
PPWR Shopping Bag Buyer Checklist
Before approving an order, check:
Product
- Bag type
- Handle type
- Size
- Thickness
- Intended use
PPWR category
- Below 15 μm?
- Below 50 μm?
- 50–99 μm?
- Above 99 μm?
Article 9
- Is Article 9(2) relevant?
- Has the target Member State adopted a compostability requirement?
Article 34
- What reduction measures apply?
- Are charges or restrictions relevant?
- Are national targets relevant?
2030
- Is the bag below 15 μm?
- Does an Annex V exception apply?
Compostability
- EN 13432 evidence?
- Industrial or home compostable?
- Raw material or finished bag?
- Printing covered?
- Colour covered?
Artwork
- Environmental claims
- Disposal wording
- Applicable labels
- Local language
Documentation
- Product specification
- Technical information
- Certificate scope
- Traceability
- Applicable conformity documents
That is a more complete purchasing check.
PPWR Shopping Bag Thickness Decision Table
| Example | PPWR category | Main points to review |
| 12 μm T-shirt bag | Very lightweight | Article 9(2), Article 34, Annex V 2030 |
| 20 μm T-shirt bag | Lightweight | Article 9(2), Article 34 |
| 35 μm die-cut bag | Lightweight | Article 9(2), Article 34 |
| 60 μm carrier bag | Thick | National measures may still apply |
| 100+ μm carrier bag | Very thick | National carrier-bag measures can still matter |
This is a starting point.
Thickness alone does not decide compliance.
How ORIZON Supports Compostable Shopping Bag Projects
ORIZON manufactures compostable bags for B2B buyers, including importers, supermarket suppliers, distributors, wholesalers and private-label brands.
We have more than 16 years of manufacturing experience.
Our production facility covers around 20,000 m², with 16 automatic production lines and monthly production capacity of approximately 500 tons.
For compostable shopping bags, custom options can include:
- bag width and length;
- side gussets;
- film thickness;
- T-shirt handles;
- die-cut handles;
- colour;
- logo printing;
- packing quantity;
- private-label cartons;
- custom OEM specifications.
But for an EU shopping-bag project, I would not start with logo artwork.
I would start with:
- target Member State;
- intended retail use;
- bag type;
- size;
- thickness;
- load requirement;
- material;
- compostability requirement;
- printing;
- estimated quantity.
Then we can review the finished specification and the available product documents.
For bag formats and purchasing information, see our compostable shopping bags guide.
For custom specifications and private-label production, see our OEM compostable bags.
Certification and regulatory suitability should always be checked against the finished bag, intended use and target market.
FAQ
What are PPWR compostable shopping bags?
“PPWR compostable shopping bags” is not an official EU certification category.
The term is commonly used for compostable retail carrier bags being reviewed against Regulation (EU) 2025/40.
The applicable rules depend on thickness, use and target Member State.
Does PPWR require shopping bags to be compostable?
Not across the whole EU.
Article 9(2) allows Member States to require qualifying very lightweight and lightweight plastic carrier bags to be compostable where the conditions set out in PPWR are met.
What is a very lightweight plastic carrier bag under PPWR?
A very lightweight plastic carrier bag has a wall thickness below 15 μm.
What is a lightweight plastic carrier bag under PPWR?
A lightweight plastic carrier bag has a wall thickness below 50 μm.
What happens to very lightweight plastic carrier bags in 2030?
From 1 January 2030, Annex V restricts very lightweight plastic carrier bags, except for bags required for hygiene or provided as sales packaging for loose food where this helps prevent food waste.
What is the PPWR 40-bag target?
Article 34 requires Member States to achieve sustained reduction of lightweight plastic carrier bags.
PPWR considers this achieved where annual consumption does not exceed 40 lightweight plastic carrier bags per person, or the equivalent target by weight.
Does a compostable bag count toward lightweight plastic carrier-bag rules?
It can.
A compostable bag made from biodegradable polymers can still meet PPWR’s definition of plastic and therefore fall within the relevant carrier-bag category.
Does EN 13432 make a shopping bag PPWR compliant?
No.
EN 13432 supports industrial-compostability assessment, but PPWR also covers carrier-bag classification, Member State measures, labelling, technical documentation and other requirements.
Does making a shopping bag thicker than 50 μm avoid PPWR carrier-bag rules?
It moves the bag outside the lightweight carrier-bag definition.
However, Article 34 allows Member States to take certain measures concerning plastic carrier bags regardless of thickness.
The target market still needs to be checked.
Can different EU countries have different compostable shopping bag rules?
Yes.
Article 9(2) gives Member States options regarding certain compostable carrier bags, and Article 34 also allows national measures to reduce plastic carrier-bag consumption.
Can an EN 13432 shopping bag be called home compostable?
Not based on EN 13432 alone.
Industrial compostability and home compostability are different claims and require appropriate supporting evidence.
Conclusion
PPWR compostable shopping bags do not follow one EU-wide compostability rule.
Start with thickness.
A bag below 15 μm is very lightweight.
A bag below 50 μm is lightweight.
Then look at the use and target Member State.
For lightweight and very lightweight carrier bags, Article 9(2) can allow Member States to require compostability when the required bio-waste collection and treatment conditions exist.
At the same time, Article 34 aims to reduce lightweight carrier-bag consumption.
And from 2030, many very lightweight carrier bags face an Annex V restriction, subject to specific hygiene and loose-food exceptions.
For an EU buyer, I suggest this order:
- Confirm the bag’s intended use.
- Confirm the finished thickness.
- Identify the PPWR carrier-bag category.
- Check the target Member State.
- Review Article 9(2).
- Review Article 34.
- Check any 2030 Annex V issue.
- Review finished-product compostability evidence.
- Check printing, labelling and technical documents.
- Then approve production.
The label “compostable” is only one part of that review.
If you are developing a custom shopping bag for Europe, send us your target country, bag size, thickness, handle type, colour, printing requirements and expected order quantity.
That gives us a practical starting point for reviewing the product specification and available documents before production.
This article provides general information for B2B packaging buyers and does not constitute legal advice. Requirements can vary depending on the finished packaging, intended use, Member State and applicable national measures.
