EU-wide PFAS limits for food packaging become applicable

Manufacturers, importers and distributors of food-contact packaging are affected — from pizza boxes and bakery bags to meat and fast-food packaging. From this date producers must demonstrate compliance with the substance restrictions and hold a declaration of conformity. Harmonised EU-wide definitions (among others for manufacturers and producers) and labelling requirements for certain packaging apply at the same time.

On 12 August 2026 the core of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR, Regulation (EU) 2025/40) becomes directly applicable in every member state. The restriction under Article 5(5) sets limits on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in food-contact packaging: 25 ppb per individual substance, 250 ppb for the sum of PFAS and 50 ppm for polymeric PFAS (figures per testing houses Mérieux NutriSciences and Intertek; the European Commission's press release of 11 August 2026 gives no numbers itself). The Commission presents the rules as a consumer and environmental protection measure; EU Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall called them an investment in Europe's future. Further parts of the regulation — such as those on recyclability and on very small single-use plastic packaging in hotels and catering — only take effect from 2030.