EU Packaging Regulation PPWR Enforces Stricter PFAS Limits and Compliance Burdens on Businesses

On August 12, 2026, the EU Packaging Regulation PPWR (EU 2025/40) officially came into force, imposing new binding limits on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food contact packaging and extensive documentation and conformity assessment requirements for producers and retailers. The regulation caps individual PFAS substances at 25 parts per billion (ppb), a total PFAS limit of 250 ppb, and polymeric PFAS at 50 parts per million (ppm). Companies must produce detailed technical documentation and a conformity declaration to demonstrate compliance. The SKZ plastic center is supporting firms in meeting these standards.

However, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face significant bureaucratic and financial challenges. Especially critical is the obligation for those shipping goods cross-border within the EU to appoint authorized representatives in destination countries without exemptions, incurring costs of several hundred euros annually per country. This has already led some merchants, such as André Preidel, to withdraw from EU-wide shipping. Enforcement includes severe penalties, with potential fines up to €200,000 for violations.

Business groups, including the Händlerbund and various chambers of commerce, have criticized the lack of planning security and high costs, calling for a moratorium. The Austrian Economic Chamber warned of serious harm to online trade. Political figures like FPÖ's Fürtbauer have demanded easing measures and transitional periods to avoid forced disposal of usable stock. Pharma Deutschland supports the regulation’s environmental goals but urges practical implementation conditions, cautioning against additional national rules that could hinder competitiveness. Further regulatory tightening for plastics is expected between 2027 and 2030.