Germany and EU implement new packaging regulations

New packaging regulations under the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and Germany’s updated packaging laws will take effect on August 12, 2026. These rules govern the entire lifecycle of packaging, from production to disposal, across all materials.

For consumers, the immediate impact will be visible through changes in packaging materials, the reduction of problematic chemicals, and the eventual introduction of standardized pictograms. Notably, new food contact packaging must comply with strict limits on per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) to be placed on the EU market after the deadline.

In a related sustainability effort, the German government has introduced an action plan aimed at significantly increasing the share of bio-based drop-in plastics in retail by 2029. This strategy seeks to reduce reliance on fossil resources by scaling research into plastics made from renewable raw materials. The plan emphasizes maintaining resource efficiency and ensuring that the use of agricultural land for plastic production does not compromise food and feed security.