EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) Applies from 12 August 2026: What Food Exporters Must Check

On 12 August 2026, the EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) began applying uniformly across all EU member states, replacing the previous Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive. For Chinese exporters of food and foodservice packaging, this is the single most important regulatory change of the year.

Key requirements entering force

• PFAS restriction: food packaging containing per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) is prohibited from being placed on the EU market
• Recyclability design: packaging must be designed for recyclability, with harmonised EU-wide rules
• Phased single-use prohibitions: additional single-use plastic packaging formats are scheduled for prohibition from 2030, including single-portion sachets and containers

Exporters should verify that food-contact materials, inks and coatings in their packaging do not contain restricted PFAS substances, and should prepare recyclability documentation for EU customs and market surveillance.

What this means for foodservice packaging buyers

For airlines, caterers and food brands selling into the EU, paper-based, PLA-coated and moulded-fibre products are increasingly the safe choice - they avoid the PFAS issue inherent in some grease-resistant coated papers and align with the regulation's recyclability direction. Xinghan's paper cups, bagasse trays and kraft packaging are produced with food-contact-safe materials and documentation.

Source: European Commission - Packaging waste; Packaging Law - PPWR analysis; Cartonpack - PPWR 2026 guide