Overview
- The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which began to apply on August 12, 2026, replaces older national rules with a single bloc-wide framework for all packaging sold in the EU.
- The regulation bans food-contact packaging that meets or exceeds PFAS thresholds of 25 parts per billion for any targeted PFAS, 250 ppb for the sum after precursor degradation, or 50 parts per million when including polymeric PFAS.
- Major obligations will be phased in over time with a harmonised labelling system due from 2028 and broad reuse, recyclability and waste-reduction measures taking full effect from 2030.
- The PPWR clarifies producer responsibility and demands traceability and technical documentation tied to the brand owner or market placer, increasing compliance duties for non-EU exporters and e-commerce sellers.
- The European Commission and ECHA are collecting public comments now and must publish a report on substances of concern by December 31, 2026, a step that could lead to further chemical restrictions and more enforcement rules.