On January 22, 2025, the European Union officially published the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) in the Official Journal of the European Union. Known as the "strictest-ever EU packaging regulation", the new rule entered into force on February 11, 2025, and will be fully implemented on August 12, 2026. Covering all packaging types and materials, the regulation sets mandatory requirements including hazardous substance restrictions, recyclability grading, recycled content ratios, packaging minimization, labelling rules and single-use packaging bans. Exporting enterprises are required to attach high importance to full compliance.
1. Hazardous Substance Limits: Heavy Metals & PFAS
Starting from August 12, 2026, the total concentration of the four heavy metals - lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium - in all packaging materials shall not exceed 100 mg/kg.
For food-contact packaging, the following PFAS limits shall apply from August 12, 2026:
Individual non-polymeric PFAS: ≤ 25 ppb
Total non-polymeric PFAS: ≤ 250 ppb
Total PFAS (including polymeric PFAS): ≤ 50 ppm
The above PFAS restrictions apply only to food-contact packaging. Non-food packaging is not currently subject to mandatory PFAS testing but shall follow the general compliance trend for safer packaging materials.
2. Packaging Recyclability Grading
A transitional period applies from August 12, 2026, to January 1, 2030. All packaging must meet the recyclability requirements specified in the former Directive 94/62/EC and standard EN 13430.
From January 1, 2030, all packaging must achieve a recyclability grade of A / B / C with a recycling rate of no less than 70%. Any packaging with a recycling rate below 70% will be deemed technically non-recyclable and prohibited from placement on the EU market.
From January 1, 2038, packaging must reach gradeA / B with a recycling rate of no less than 80%. Grade C packaging will be completely banned.
3. Mandatory Recycled Plastic Content
Sensitive food-contact PET packaging (excluding single-use beverage bottles): 30% recycled content by 2030, 50% by 2040
Sensitive food-contact non-PET packaging (excluding single-use beverage bottles): 10% recycled content by 2030, 25% by 2040
Single-use beverage bottles: 30% recycled content by 2030, 65% by 2040
Other plastic packaging: 35% recycled content by 2030, 65% by 2040
Plastic components accounting for less than 5% of the total packaging weight are exempted from the above requirements.
4. Packaging Minimization Rules
Starting in 2030, all packaging must be minimized in weight and volume while maintaining full functionality. Over-designed structures purely for visual volume enhancement, such as double walls, false bottoms and unnecessary extra layers, will be strictly restricted.
For e-commerce packaging, combined packaging and transport packaging, the void space ratio shall generally not exceed 50%.
5. Packaging Labelling Requirements
From August 12, 2028, all packaging must display standardized material classification labels for consumer sorting. Packages must also be marked with the EPR registration number and EU authorized representative information.
6. Single-Use Plastic Packaging Ban
Effective January 1, 2030, specific single-use plastic packaging items will be banned, including:
Packaging for fresh fruits and vegetables
Disposable packaging for food and beverages in catering services
Single-serve portion packaging for condiments, sauces, cream and sugar
Miniature packaging for toiletries
Ultra-light plastic carrier bags (wall thickness < 15 μm)
Beverage and takeaway retailers shall offer consumers reusable container options. By 2030, at least 10% of products shall be provided in reusable packaging formats.
