PPWR
August 2026
PPWR arrives in August.
Here's what it means for your business.
Still figuring out what PPWR actually requires from your team? You’re not alone. Here are the three things QA, Sustainability, and Packaging teams in F&B should know:
PPWR PFAS and heavy-metal limits apply from August 2026. The PFAS thresholds (25 ppb per substance, 250 ppb total, 50 ppm fluorine) cover food-contact packaging; the heavy-metal limit (under 100 mg/kg combined) covers every packaging type.
PPWR recyclability requirements apply from 2030. Packaging that does not meet them will be banned from the EU market, and the choices you make today decide whether yours does.
Testing and reformulation take time. Lab verification, supplier documentation, and material or coating changes are not a quick fix. Companies starting now can realistically be ready before August 2026.
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Effective Aug 2026 · Food-contact packaging
What does this mean in practice:
A ready-to-eat salad bowl or sandwich wrap cannot be placed on the EU market from August 2026 if the packaging contains PFAS above legal limits. Moulded fibre bowls and paper-based wraps commonly use PFAS coatings to prevent grease and moisture from leaking through. Every packaging component requires laboratory testing, not just supplier statements.
PFAS limits in food-contact packaging
Maximum thresholds: 25 ppb per individual non-polymeric PFAS, 250 ppb for the total sum, and 50 ppm total fluorine. Covers any packaging in direct or indirect contact with food, including paper, board, and flexible laminates. "Non-intentionally added" is not a valid defence.
Effective Aug 2026 · All packaging types
What this means in practice?
A brightly printed outer carton or foil lidding with metallic inks could exceed thresholds even if the food-contact inner is clean. Every layer of a multilayer pack needs checking, not just the innermost surface.
Heavy-metal limits across all packaging
Combined concentration of lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium must stay under 100 mg/kg for every packaging type, not just food-contact. Applies to inks, pigments, coatings and adhesives used in production.
Effective Aug 2026 · Producer obligation
What does this mean in practice?
A dairy brand with 80 SKUs across 12 different packaging types needs 12 DoCs, each supported by supplier data and lab evidence. Any material change, such as switching cardboard suppliers or coating specifications, triggers a DoC update. Outsourcing production does not transfer this obligation.
Declaration of Conformity per packaging type
The producer must issue, sign and retain a DoC for each unique packaging type. It must reference the specific PPWR requirements met, include material composition data, and be updated whenever the packaging changes.
Effective Aug 2026 → Feb 2027
What this means in practice?
For a co-packer producing F&B packaging under a retailer's label, the retailer's name and address must appear, not the co-packer's. Packaging ordered now without this field will need artwork and plate changes before the deadline.
Labelling & digital identifiers on-pack
From August 2026, packaging must display the manufacturer's name and address, or provide a QR code linking to it. From February 2027, digital identifiers must also carry material composition and recyclability information, replacing the Green Dot.
Criteria being finalised · Effective 2030
What this means in practice?
Black trays with carbon-black pigment, common in ready-meal packaging, are likely to grade D or E due to optical sorting limitations. F&B packaging engineers should model recyclability grades now to avoid costly reformulation under time pressure.
Recyclability grades A–E from 2030
Alle verpakkingen krijgen een recyclebaarheidsscore volgens Design for Recycling-criteria die momenteel via EU-uitvoeringshandelingen worden vastgesteld. Vanaf 2030 worden verpakkingen met score D of lager verboden op de EU-markt. Vanaf 2038 zijn alleen scores A en B nog toegestaan. Ontwerpbeslissingen die vandaag worden genomen bepalen de gereedheid in 2029.
Effective Aug 2026 · Per member state
What this means in practice?
A Dutch F&B brand selling via Amazon Germany that hasn't registered in Germany's LUCID system is already non-compliant. Under PPWR: fines up to €200,000 and marketplace sales restrictions, with no grace period from August 2026.
EPR registration and fee payment
Producers must register in national EPR schemes in every Member State where they first place packaged goods on the market. Fee levels differ per country and material type. Missing or incorrect registration is an offence in its own right, with direct sales bans as a consequence.
— What are the PPWR requirements, specifically for food & consumer goods?
Six major requirements with real consequences for food operations.
What each PPWR obligation actually means for your QA, sustainability and packaging teams, with concrete examples from food operations.
Whitepaper download
18 pages
How PPWR ready are you? A 5-step checklist for PPWR readiness
From PFAS to format bans: one checklist to map every PPWR gap between now and 2040.
Phase 1 deep dive: everything due by August 12, 2026
Covers PFAS, heavy metals, DoC, labelling, recycled content and format bans
Self-assessment scoring: see if you land in the red, amber or green zone
Built for QA and packaging teams in consumer goods industry
— Your compliance evidence, explained
DoC generation & Technical dossier preparation: What you need, and how to get there
Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
A DoC is a signed statement confirming that a specific packaging type meets PPWR requirements. You need one per packaging type, not one per company. As a DoC example: a food brand with several SKUs needs a separate DoC for every packaging type that differs.
What to do:
Confirm the substances, materials, and design meet PFAS and heavy-metal limits for that packaging type
Get sign-off from whoever holds the compliance role for that product (see roles & obligations below)
Keep a signed copy on file, producible within 10 days if requested
Technical file
The technical file is the evidence backing your DoC: lab results, supplier documentation, and packaging specs, all in one place. Without it, a signed DoC alone won't hold up under inspection.
What to do:
Gather lab-verified PFAS and heavy-metal test results per packaging type
Collect supplier documentation confirming material and substance compliance
Structure everything so it's retrievable
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— Does this role apply to you?
Recognise your PPWR role.
Understand your responsibilities.
The PPWR assigns obligations by role, not by company type. The regulation defines separate PPWR roles: manufacturer, producer, importer and distributor. Most food compainess hold more than one PPWR role, depending on the product.
Fabrikant
Degene die verpakking of een verpakt product vervaardigt, of dit onder eigen naam of merk laat ontwerpen of produceren. Eén fabrikant per verpakkingseenheid, EU-breed.
Verplichtingen vanaf augustus 2026
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Conformiteitsbeoordeling uitvoeren
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EU-conformiteitsverklaring per verpakkingstype opstellen
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Technische documentatie bijhouden (10 jaar bewaartermijn, binnen 10 dagen op verzoek beschikbaar)
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Laboratoriumgeverifieerde PFAS- en zware-metalendata bewaren voor voedselcontactverpakking
Producent
De fabrikant, importeur of distributeur die de verpakking als eerste in een specifieke lidstaat op de markt aanbiedt. Dit is een geografisch criterium, niet gekoppeld aan het merk — per land kan een andere partij producent zijn voor dezelfde SKU.
Verplichtingen vanaf augustus 2026
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Registreren bij het nationale EPR-register van die lidstaat
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Verpakkingsvolumes rapporteren die op de markt zijn gebracht
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EPR-bijdragen betalen aan een producentenverantwoordelijkheidsorganisatie
Importeur
Een in de EU gevestigde partij die verpakking of een verpakt product van buiten de EU voor het eerst de EU-markt op brengt.
Verplichtingen vanaf augustus 2026
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PFAS-, zware-metalen- en etiketteringscompliance controleren vóór marktintroductie
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Een kopie van de DoC bewaren (binnen 10 dagen te tonen)
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Registreren bij EPR-regelingen in elke lidstaat waar wordt verkocht
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Dezelfde stofcompliance-verplichting dragen als de fabrikant
Distributeur
Iedere partij in de keten, anders dan de fabrikant of importeur, die verpakking op de markt aanbiedt.
Verplichtingen vanaf augustus 2026
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Verifiëren dat de fabrikant/importeur aan hun verplichtingen heeft voldaan vóór doorverkoop
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Controleren of etikettering correct is en geen tekenen van non-conformiteit vertoont
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Traceerbaarheid bijhouden van wie wat heeft geleverd
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Nooit herlabelen of herverpakken zonder de volledige fabrikantverplichtingen op zich te nemen
Gemachtigde vertegenwoordiger
Een in de EU gevestigde partij die schriftelijk is aangesteld door een producent zonder EU-vestiging, om de EPR-registratie en -rapportage in een lidstaat namens hen te verzorgen.
Verplichtingen vanaf augustus 2026
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De niet-EU producent registreren bij het nationale EPR-register
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Volumerapportages en EPR-bijdragen namens de producent indienen
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Optreden als compliance-contactpersoon voor die lidstaat
Most F&B businesses hold more than one role across their product range. A food brand that sells products under its own name is a producer for those SKUs. If it also sources packaged goods from outside the EU, it is an importer for those lines. If it resells a third-party branded product without modification, it acts as a distributor for that product. Your role is determined product by product — not once for the whole business. Mapping your role per SKU is the first step in any PPWR compliance process.
Whitepaper download
18 pages
Unpacking the PPWR: The complete F&B guide
Everything QA, packaging and sustainability teams need in one document: every role, every deadline, every requirement — with a practical preparation checklist.
PFAs & heavy-metal requirements explained
Declaration of Conformity walkthrough
EPR registration by Member State
Step-by-step preparation checklist
F&B-specific examples throughout
Whitepaper download
18 pages
How prepared is food and consumer goods industry for PPWR?
PPWR August 2026: now in force. Here's how the food industry is responding.
35% average confidence scroe in PPWR readiness
49% indicated suppliers don't respond or are slow to reply
38% PPWR ownership sits solely within Quality Assurance
4 extra hours a week lost to compliance busywork.
F&B-specific examples throughout
— Your PPWR readiness timeline, from 2026 to 2030
Evidence collection takes longer than most teams expect. This PPWR timeline guides you through every stage and deadline.
August 12 has passed: operational systems should now be live. Below is the readiness journey up to nowadays, and the longer programme that continues beyond it.
3 pasos para cumplir con el PPWR
1. Evidencias de cumplimiento y preparación de la documentación técnica
Documentación de proveedores, verificación de datos y mantenimiento de archivos listos para auditorías
2. Rediseño del envase
Selección de materiales, cambios de diseño y ajustes estructurales para cumplir con los requisitos del cliente y la normativa vigente
3. Informes y tasas
Identifica roles y responsabilidades y calcula las tasas
Evidencias de cumplimiento
Para muchas empresas, la mayor carga de trabajo del PPWR está en la gestión de las evidencias de cumplimiento. El PPWR exige gestionar datos y evidencias de numerosos proveedores, formatos de embalaje y referencias de producto.
El PPWR introduce un cambio en la normativa de sostenibilidad, con responsabilidades repartidas entre los equipos de Calidad, Compras, Packaging y Sostenibilidad
Before August 12, 2026 - Start now
Start now
Define which PPWR roles you hold per product line.
Pakcaging baseline
Map components,suppliers, and initial structure
Evidence collection
Gather specs,declarations of conformity,and lab evidence
Compliance verification
Validate PFAS and heavy metals compliance
Compliance required
Prove complinace on authority request
Cronograma de implementación de PPWR
August 2026
Substances of concern limits
General application- EPR requirements
Febuary 2027
Green dot moves to
QR code
2029
Deposit return schemes must collect 90% of in-scope containers
2030
Recyclability standards & targets are in place
Prohibited packaging types introduced
2035 and beyond
Recycled at scale requirement in effect
Higher recyclability standards, recycled content & reuse targets
Does PPWR apply to packaging made outside the EU?
Yes. PPWR applies to all packaging placed on the EU market regardless of where it was produced. Importers carry the same obligations as EU manufacturers — including verifying supplier compliance and retaining the technical file.
Is "non-intentionally added PFAS" still acceptable?
No. The thresholds apply regardless of intent. Recycled paper and board commonly contain PFAS from previous use cycles — "non-intentionally added" is not a valid defence. Actual measurement or verified third-party analytical data is required.
Who must issue the Declaration of Conformity?
The producer — the entity placing packaging on the EU market under its own name or trademark. If your brand name is on the pack, the DoC obligation is yours, even if a contract manufacturer produced it.
Can a packaging supplier refuse to share composition data?
Not lawfully. Article 16 of Regulation (EU) 2025/40 obliges suppliers to provide complete compliance information to downstream customers. A supplier who refuses is in breach of their own obligations.
In practice: if you cannot obtain the data needed to issue a DoC, you cannot lawfully place that packaging on the EU market.
What about packaging stock produced before August 2026?
Packaging already placed on the EU market before August 12, 2026 does not need to meet the new requirements. The cut-off is the date of placing on the market — not date of manufacture or sale. Managing stock and transition timing carefully is advisable for high-volume SKUs.
Who enforces PPWR and what are the real penalties?
Each Member State designates its own market surveillance authority. In the Netherlands it's the NVWA (typically €5,000–€50,000/week). In Germany, LUCID registration violations reach up to €200,000. Across all Member States, authorities can impose direct sales bans — including via marketplace platforms.
Blog
Regulations
PPWR Readiness: Phase 4 Monitor 2035-2038
Phase 4 is a monitoring phase, not an action phase, but that doesn't mean it can wait. A ten-year runway sounds generous until you consider that material substitution and infrastructure development happen on a similarly long timescale.
22 jul 2026