EU bans ‘forever chemicals’ in food packaging as new regulation takes effect

The European Union's sweeping Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation begins applying on August 12, introducing restrictions on "forever chemicals" in food-contact packaging and requiring sellers to register individually in each of the 27 member states where they ship products — a burden that is already pushing some small merchants to halt European orders entirely.

PFAS Ban Leads First Wave of Rules

Among the first measures taking effect is a restriction on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in food-contact packaging, meaning items such as takeaway containers, fast-food wrappers, microwave popcorn bags and pizza boxes containing PFAS above strict limits can no longer be placed on the EU market. The regulation, formally known as Regulation (EU) 2025/40, was published in the Official Journal in January 2025 and entered into force on February 11, 2025, with a general application date set 18 months later.environment.europa+1

"The new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation is an investment in Europe's future: it will help reduce waste, increase recycling, make food-contact packaging safer for the consumers by limiting harmful substances such as PFAS, and reduce our dependence on virgin raw materials," said Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy.environment.europa

Small Sellers Face Per-Country Registration Burden

The regulation requires producers to register in every member state where they make packaging available and, under Article 45, to appoint an authorized representative for extended producer responsibility in each country where they are not established. There is no single European license — a registration in Spain confers nothing in Germany or France.ppc

That structure has proved untenable for some businesses. A merchant notice circulated on August 10 announced the suspension of all EU shipping, stating the per-country registration and representation costs were "currently not financially feasible". A European Commission proposal to suspend the representative requirement until 2035 for EU-established sellers was never adopted; the Council discontinued negotiations on June 24, citing "strong reservations by a vast majority of member states".ppc

Online marketplaces including Amazon Amazon.com, Inc. ↘ 0.80%, eBay ↗ 2.22% and Etsy ↗ 1.31% will also face new obligations to verify sellers' registration numbers before onboarding them, effectively turning compliance into a listing condition.ppc

Industry Adjusting but Demand Lags

Research by logistics company Advanced Supply Chain found that 93% of 200 surveyed British manufacturers have been affected or expect to be affected by the PPWR, with 16% having already reformatted packaging and 39% currently making changes. Yet the regulatory deadline has not translated into stronger demand for recycled polymers. According to S&P Global ↗ 3.07%, buyers continue to favor discounted virgin material amid weak consumption, with recycled HDPE pellets trading at a premium to virgin equivalents.spglobal+1

"The market economics will be a blocking factor unless PPWR is enforceable — brand owners will find legal loopholes as long as prime materials are more favorable," a trader told S&P Global.spglobal

Additional obligations will phase in over the coming years, including a harmonized labeling system in 2028, and by 2030, mandatory recycled plastic content in new packaging, limits on empty space, and requirements that all packaging be recyclable.environment.europa