PPWR Regulation: Safety and Sustainability of Packaging

The Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste (PPWR – Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation) represents a crucial step towards a circular and sustainable economy. Replacing the previous Directive 94/62/EC, the PPWR aims to reduce the environmental impact of packaging, improve recyclability, and limit the use of hazardous substances, while ensuring the safety of food contact materials.

Main objectives of the PPWR:

• Reduction of packaging waste.
• Guaranteeing the sustainability of packaging.
• Regulation of extended producer responsibility.
• Promotion of reuse and refilling of packaging, as well as the recycling of packaging waste.
• Harmonization of national measures for the proper functioning of the internal market.

The regulation establishes specific requirements concerning:

• Content of chemical substances (such as PFAS).
• Recyclability.
• Minimum recycled material content.
• Compostability requirements.
• Minimization of packaging use.
• Conditions to ensure reuse.

PFAS: Impacts and Restrictions in the PPWR

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of thousands of synthetic chemical compounds used in a wide range of industrial and commercial applications, including materials and packaging in contact with food.

Why are PFAS under scrutiny?

• Environmental persistence: All PFAS covered by the PPWR are highly persistent or degrade into equally persistent compounds, posing a long-term threat to the environment.
• Human health risks: Long-term exposure can lead to serious effects such as carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity, and target organ damage.

Concentration limits set by the PPWR:

Starting from August 12, 2026, food contact packaging cannot be placed on the market if it contains PFAS in concentrations equal to or above:

• 25 ppb for PFAS measured through targeted analysis (excluding polymeric PFAS);
• 250 ppb as the sum of PFAS, with precursor degradation if necessary;
• 50 ppm for total PFAS, including polymeric ones, with an obligation to provide specific evidence of total fluorine content.

Our PFAS Testing Service

We offer advanced and accredited solutions for monitoring and analyzing PFAS in food contact materials, ensuring full compliance with the PPWR. View and download our informational flyer about our PFAS proposal.