ABIPLAST

EU packaging regulation PPWR in force, requirements phase in to 2040

Regulation (EU) 2025/40, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), has applied directly in all EU member states since 12 August 2026, covering any packaging placed on the EU market, including imports. Brazilian trade bodies ABIPLAST and INP held a webinar on 24 September with over 200 registrants from more than 120 organisations to brief exporters on the compliance timeline, which runs through further milestones in 2028, 2030, 2038 and 2040.

Why this mattersExporters placing any packaging or packaged goods on the EU market must now document conformity and heavy-metal and PFAS limits, with no grace period for existing stock.

• PPWR (Regulation (EU) 2025/40) has applied since 12 August 2026, with no transposition needed by member states
• Heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium) are capped at 100 mg/kg in packaging or components
• Food-contact packaging faces PFAS limits of 25 ppb for specific analyses and 50 ppm for total PFAS, with no stock run-off period
• Harmonised material-composition labelling becomes mandatory from August 2028
• From 2030, packaging must meet weight/volume minimisation rules, a 50% empty-space limit for grouped packaging, and recyclability design classes A-C, narrowing to A-B by 2038
• Minimum post-consumer recycled content requirements of 10%-35% by plastic application start in 2030, rising to 25%-65% by 2040

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