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European Union implements new packaging and waste regulations
The European Union is implementing the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), marking a significant shift toward a circular economy. As of August 12, 2026, new requirements regarding material documentation, traceability, and labeling are coming into effect across all member states.
Key immediate changes include strict limits on PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in food contact packaging, with a maximum concentration of 50 ppm for total organic fluorine. Additionally, e-commerce regulations will now mandate that empty space in shipping containers does not exceed 50% of the total volume.
Further progressive bans and mandates are scheduled for the coming years. By 2030, the EU will prohibit single-use plastic packaging for fresh fruits and vegetables (under 1.5 kg), thin plastic grocery bags, and single-use amenities in hotels, such as small shampoo bottles. The regulation also targets the hospitality sector, aiming to phase out single-dose condiment sachets and plastic cutlery by 2030.
Industry groups, including SMVdanmark and various pharmaceutical associations, have expressed concerns regarding the administrative burden, regulatory uncertainty, and the rapid implementation timeline, calling for guidance-based transitions rather than immediate fines.
Entities
European Union · Nemco · PPWR · Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation · Pharma Deutschland · SMVdanmark · Südwesttextil · Wirtschaftskammer Österreich · osapiens
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 9 SOURCES] Packaging must not exceed 50% of the chemicals known as 'forever chemicals' (PFAS). www.20minutos.es · www.cadizdirecto.com · telenorba.it · www.segre.com · www.lavanguardia.com · +4 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] By 2030, supermarkets will be prohibited from wrapping fruits and vegetables in plastic. www.20minutos.es · telenorba.it · www.cope.es · www.segre.com · www.zagorje.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] A 10-cent deposit system (SDDR) will be implemented for cans, certain bottles, and cartons to encourage recycling. www.3cat.cat · www.catalunyapress.es · www.segre.com · www.lavanguardia.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] E-commerce packaging must ensure empty space does not exceed 50% of the container volume. www.3cat.cat · www.catalunyapress.es · www.diariodenavarra.es
- [● 8 SOURCES] Single-use amenities in hotels and single-dose condiment sachets will be phased out by 2030. www.20minutos.es · www.3cat.cat · www.cope.es · www.catalunyapress.es · www.greenplanner.it · +3 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] The European Union is implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/40 to reduce packaging waste and promote a circular economy. www.20minutos.es · www.3cat.cat · www.cope.es · www.catalunyapress.es · www.cadizdirecto.com · +5 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] The goal is to reduce packaging waste by 15% by 2040. www.cope.es · telenorba.it
- [● 7 SOURCES] Starting August 12, all packaging placed on the market must be recyclable. www.20minutos.es · www.3cat.cat · www.cope.es · telenorba.it · www.diariodenavarra.es · +2 more
- [● 17 SOURCES] The EU is implementing the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) to reduce waste and promote a circular economy. www.faz.net · www.finanznachrichten.de · www.fodevarefokus.dk · via.ritzau.dk · www.bpnieuws.nl · +12 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] SMVdanmark urges authorities to provide a one-year grace period focused on guidance rather than fines for companies. via.ritzau.dk
- [● 3 SOURCES] Thin plastic bags for grocery transport and plastic packaging for fresh fruit and vegetables will be banned starting in 2030. www.berliner-kurier.de · www.zagorje.com · www.poslovni.hr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Responsibility for PFAS compliance in packaging shifts from suppliers to food producers. www.fodevarefokus.dk