PPWR PFAS: New Limits & Bans Effective August 2026

Effective August 12, 2026, the new EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) prohibits the placing on the market of food contact packaging that exceeds the legally established PFAS limits.

This transforms compliance with these thresholds from a general duty of care into a specific, harmonized, and legally binding market access requirement throughout the EU.

Affected Product Categories

The regulation applies as soon as packaging – whether through intentional use or unintentional contamination – violates the limits for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS):

Grease- and water-repellent coatings: Traditional PFAS barriers on paper, paperboard, and cardboard are prohibited if they exceed the tolerance limits.
Fast-food and takeout packaging: Burger wrappers, french fry bags, pizza boxes, and disposable trays must strictly comply with the limits.
Convenience packaging: Microwave popcorn bags, baking paper, and muffin cups with PFAS nonstick coatings are subject to strict monitoring requirements.

What does this mean for companies?

Conformity Assessment: Companies must conduct a formal conformity assessment procedure, issue an EU Declaration of Conformity, and provide complete evidence of compliance with the limit values through technical documentation (based on risk analyses and laboratory reports).
Mandatory testing: Analytical verification of the threshold values will become a standard, risk-based component of quality management.
Holistic product development: Chemical safety and regulatory compliance are now just as critical to competitiveness as the packaging design itself.

Packaging that violates the limit values may no longer be marketed in the EU. For the industry, this means a profound transformation toward safe alternatives that strictly remain below the legal limit values.

Are you already PPWR-ready, or do you need assistance with implementation? Contact us!

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