EU's PFAS Crackdown on Food Packaging Sets August 2026 Deadline, Stirs Industry Pushback
Published on 07/09/2026 at 10:22 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
Within 14 months, any food-contact packaging sold in the European Union that contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances above trace levels will be banned. The measure, part of the bloc's new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), targets the grease- and water-repellent coatings common in fast-food wrappers, convenience-meal trays and branded bakery cups.
Bakers who use custom-printed coffee cups and dry cleaners who rely on plastic garment bags must now prove their packaging meets the new limits. The rules, which took legal effect on 11 February 2025, become enforceable in stages, with the PFAS ban and accompanying documentation obligations kicking in on 12 August 2026.
The PFAS thresholds are strict: individual PFAS compounds may not exceed 25 parts per billion, and the sum of all PFAS substances in a package is capped at 250 ppb. Companies must conduct conformity assessments to guarantee compliance for each packaging unit they place on the market.
The PPWR puts hazardous substances under the regulatory microscope — but many businesses still lack proper assessments for the chemicals they already handle day to day. A free COSHH toolkit provides 43 ready-to-use templates, checklists and toolbox talks to help you document and control hazardous substances in compliance with UK requirements. Get the free COSHH Toolkit
Beneath the headline PFAS restriction lies a broader compliance framework that will reshape supply?chain roles. From August next year, every manufacturer and importer must produce an EU declaration of conformity and technical documentation for each packaging type, demonstrating adherence to recyclability rules, mandatory recycled content and substance restrictions. Industry associations are already moving to fill the guidance gap.
On 8 July, the German plastics industry association Pro-K published a template for producers of reusable and transport packaging made from plastic. The model document is designed to help companies document compliance with recyclability, recycled?plastic use and substance limits. Digital tools from circular?economy service providers now allow businesses to assess recycling rates and generate the required declarations under Article 39 of the PPWR, with a focus on material composition and traceability.
The regulation's rollout is staggered. Alongside the August 2026 PFAS prohibition and documentation duty, a harmonised labelling system arrives in 2028. By 2030, mandatory minimum recycled?plastic content kicks in — 30 percent for PET, 10 percent for other plastics — alongside a minimum recyclability grade of C and a cap of 50 percent empty space in packaging.
Despite the European Commission's recent push for deregulation — it tabled a package in early July aimed at cutting reporting obligations for 2027 — the PPWR adds a significant administrative burden. On 7 July, several European industrial federations sharply criticised proposed changes to related laws, including an early revision of the Single?Use Plastics Directive (SUPD). They urged regulators to gather practical experience with the PPWR first and to avoid overlapping requirements, warning that inconsistent rule?making could undermine the planning certainty that businesses need to invest in compliant packaging.
Disclaimer regarding our articles: No investment advice, no buy or sell recommendation. Information on prices, companies, and markets is provided without guarantee; changes are possible at any time. Stock market transactions can lead to substantial losses. Our articles are created and reviewed in whole or in part automatically with the support of AI.
