AI-written summary of reporting by Deutsche Welle. No human editor reviewed this. AI can misread or omit facts — read the original, linked below.
ABSTRACT

New European Union rules under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) took effect Wednesday, prohibiting high concentrations of PFAS chemicals in new packaging designed to come into contact with food, as part of a broader effort to reduce packaging waste and improve public health across the bloc.

Deutsche Welle

EU begins enforcing PFAS limits in food packaging under new waste regulation

EU begins enforcing PFAS limits in food packaging under new waste regulation
Aug 12, 2026, 5:21 AM

New European Union rules under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) took effect Wednesday, prohibiting high concentrations of PFAS chemicals in new packaging designed to come into contact with food, as part of a broader effort to reduce packaging waste and improve public health across the bloc.

Context

PFAS, known as 'forever chemicals' because they persist in the body and the environment, have been linked to increased risks of certain cancers and other health conditions. Scientists have raised concerns about long-term exposure, even though the amount that migrates into food from packaging is typically low. PFAS are used to make paper and cardboard packaging grease- and water-resistant and are found in products ranging from pizza boxes to frozen ready meals.

Under PPWR, businesses are not required to recall or destroy packaging that was already on the market before Wednesday. The PFAS rules follow a separate EU ban on bisphenol A (BPA) in food-contact materials, which came into force last month.

According to the European Commission, packaging waste in EU countries increased by 20% over the past decade, and without PPWR, discarded packaging was projected to rise by a further 19% by 2030, driven in part by the growth of online shopping and convenience food. EU data show that 178 kilograms of packaging waste was generated per person across the bloc in 2023, of which 35.3 kg was plastic, with only 42% of that plastic recycled. Germany's per-capita packaging waste stood at 215 kg in 2023, above the EU average. Packaging accounts for roughly 40% of plastic consumption in Europe, according to an EU official.

The regulation sets binding targets to reduce overall packaging waste by 5% by 2030 and 15% by 2040. From 2028, manufacturers will be required to place standardized labels on packaging indicating materials used and disposal instructions. Certain food-service businesses such as restaurants and cafes will be required to offer reusable packaging options, often at no additional cost to the customer. Deposit-and-return schemes for plastic bottles and cans are to be introduced bloc-wide by 2029, and from 2030 all packaging placed on the EU market must be designed to be recyclable. Single-use plastic packaging for fresh produce will also be banned from 2030, and packaging will be required to be kept to a minimum necessary to protect the product.

EU member states will set their own penalties for non-compliance. In Germany, authorities may impose fines of up to €200,000 for more serious breaches.

All Perspectives
European Commission: Brussels argues that without PPWR, packaging waste was set to rise by a further 19% by 2030, and that the volume of waste has grown faster than recycling rates over the past decade. The regulation is framed as necessary to cut waste and improve public health.
Händlerbund (German online retailers' association): Händlerbund warned that the new rules threaten to make cross-border trade significantly more difficult rather than facilitating it, and cautioned its members that there is no minimum quantity threshold and no exemption for small businesses. It described the requirement to register packaging in multiple EU states, often with fees, as excessive red tape.
EU lawmaker Elisabeth Dieringer (Freedom Party of Austria): Dieringer warned that PPWR would mean five-figure costs for medium-sized firms, writing on X that while large corporations have dedicated departments for compliance, smaller Mittelstand businesses have little choice but to absorb the burden or cease operations.
Monstaas Workshop (small online retailer): The owner wrote on Instagram that under the new rules they would need to appoint an authorized representative in every EU country they ship to, at a cost of approximately €300 per country per year, which they described as simply not affordable.
iLabs Electronics (Swedish embedded electronics maker): iLabs announced it would halt web shop orders from EU countries, stating on its website that the cost and administrative burden of PPWR is out of proportion to its direct sales volume.
Change.org petition signatories: More than 45,000 people had signed a petition by Wednesday morning calling on the European Commission to stop what they characterized as the destruction of EU micro-businesses and to impose an immediate moratorium on cross-border extended producer responsibility fees.
Position not represented in the source reporting: European Commission — its specific response to business compliance-cost criticisms is absent from the source.
Gaps & Unknowns
  • The source does not include a response or rebuttal from the European Commission specifically addressing the compliance-cost criticisms raised by businesses and retailers.
  • The source does not specify what levels of PFAS are now prohibited or what the precise threshold concentrations are under PPWR.
  • The source does not detail how the new PFAS limits will be enforced or which EU authorities are responsible for monitoring compliance.
  • The source does not indicate whether any transitional relief or grace periods are available for small businesses struggling with compliance costs.
  • The source does not report on the positions of consumer or public-health advocacy groups regarding the regulation.
Sources & Further Reading
  1. Deutsche Welle — original

Read the original at Deutsche Welle

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