On August 12, 2026, the European Union's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR, EU 2025/40) became fully enforceable across all 27 member states, replacing the old Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD) with no transition period. For any brand or manufacturer selling packaged goods into the EU — including Chinese exporters — this is the most significant packaging compliance shift in a decade.
Here is what the regulation actually requires, how it differs from earlier drafts, and what exporters must do now.
Core Obligations Effective Immediately
1. Heavy Metal Limits
The sum of lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium in all packaging must not exceed 100 mg/kg. This applies to every packaging component — inks, adhesives, coatings and substrates alike.
2. PFAS Restrictions on Food Contact Packaging
For packaging that comes into contact with food, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are severely restricted: any single PFAS compound must not exceed 25 ppb, total PFAS must not exceed 250 ppb, and total fluorine content must not exceed 50 ppm. Products exceeding these thresholds cannot be placed on the EU market unless the manufacturer can demonstrate the PFAS presence is technically unavoidable — a high bar.
3. Mandatory Recyclability
All packaging placed on the EU market must be recyclable. The regulation introduces a graded system:
- From 2030: only packaging rated A, B or C (recovery rate ≥ 70%) may be sold.
- From 2038: only A and B rated packaging will be permitted.
The detailed methodology for assigning recyclability grades will be defined in subsequent delegated acts, but the direction is clear: design for recycling is no longer optional.
4. Labelling and Traceability
Every package must carry: an identification code (SKU, batch or lot number); manufacturer information including an EU-based contact; material type designation; and the appropriate recycling symbol. Multi-component packaging requires at least one label on an accessible component.
5. EPR Registration
Producers — including importers and e-commerce sellers selling into the EU — must complete Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) registration in each member state where they sell, and pay corresponding fees. Non-EU companies must appoint an authorised representative within the EU. Failure to register can result in goods being detained at customs or delisted from marketplaces.
| Requirement | Effective Date | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy metal limits | Aug 12, 2026 | All packaging |
| PFAS limits (food contact) | Aug 12, 2026 | Food contact packaging |
| EPR registration | Aug 12, 2026 | All producers/importers |
| Labelling harmonisation | ~2028 (delegated act pending) | All packaging |
| Recyclability grade A/B/C only | 2030 | All packaging |
| Recyclability grade A/B only | 2038 | All packaging |
| Scaled recycling targets | 2035 | All packaging |
What About the ESG Rollback?
It is important to distinguish PPWR from other EU sustainability regulations. In February 2026, the EU adopted the "Omnibus I" simplification package, which significantly narrowed the scope of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) — raising the threshold to 1,000 employees and €450 million net turnover, excluding roughly 31,000 mid-cap companies — and delayed the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).
PPWR was not included in this simplification. The European Commission has confirmed that the core obligations of the packaging regulation remain intact. Exporters who breathed a sigh of relief over CSRD relief should not assume the same leniency applies to packaging compliance.
Penalties
PPWR delegates the setting of specific fines to individual member states, requiring only that penalties be "effective, proportionate and dissuasive." Based on early signals, fines are expected to range from 2% to 6% of the offender's annual turnover in the relevant member state, alongside product seizures and sales bans. Germany has retained its established dual-system recycling framework under Article 68, which may result in different procedural requirements compared to other member states.
Action Checklist for Exporters
- Material audit: Request heavy metal and PFAS test reports from all material suppliers immediately. Prioritise food-contact SKUs.
- EPR registration: Identify every EU member state where your products are sold and begin EPR registration. Appoint an EU authorised representative if you are a non-EU entity.
- Label review: Update packaging artwork to include material codes, manufacturer/EU contact information and recycling symbols. Budget for label changes across your SKU range.
- Recyclability assessment: Engage a qualified lab to assess your packaging against the emerging recyclability criteria. Prioritise designs that will meet the 2030 A/B/C threshold.
- Supplier contracts: Add PPWR compliance clauses to supplier agreements, including indemnification for non-compliant materials.
The 2026 date is not the finish line — it is the starting gun. Labelling harmonisation, recyclability grading and scaled recycling targets roll out over the next 12 years. Brands that build compliance into their packaging design process now will avoid costly reformulation later.
Sources: This article is based on reporting from China Packaging Network (中国包装网), August 11, 2026; analysis from DeHeng Law Offices (德恒律师事务所), August 2026; and the official text of Regulation (EU) 2025/40.
2026年8月12日，欧盟《包装和包装废弃物法规》（PPWR，EU 2025/40）在全部27个成员国正式强制执行，取代旧版《包装和包装废弃物指令》（PPWD），且未设过渡期。对于所有向欧盟销售包装商品的品牌和制造商——包括中国出口企业——这是十年来最重大的包装合规变革。
以下是法规的核心要求、与早期草案的差异，以及出口企业当前必须采取的行动。
即时生效的核心义务
1. 重金属限值
所有包装中铅、镉、汞和六价铬的总和不得超过100 mg/kg。该限值适用于每一个包装组件——包括油墨、胶黏剂、涂层和基材。
3. 食品接触包装PFAS限制
对于与食品接触的包装，全氟和多氟烷基物质（PFAS）受到严格限制：任何单一PFAS化合物不得超过25 ppb，PFAS总量不得超过250 ppb，总氟含量不得超过50 ppm。超出阈值的产品不得在欧盟市场上市，除非制造商能够证明PFAS的存在技术上不可避免——这一门槛很高。
3. 强制可回收性
所有投放欧盟市场的包装必须具备可回收性。法规引入了分级制度：
- 2030年起：仅允许评级为A、B或C（回收率≥70%）的包装上市。
- 2038年起：仅允许A、B级包装上市。
可回收性评级的具体评估方法将在后续授权法案中确定，但方向已经明确：为回收而设计不再是可选项。
4. 标签与追溯
每个包装必须标注：识别码（SKU、批号）、制造商信息（含欧盟联系人）、材料类型标识以及相应的回收标志。多组件包装至少在一个易接触组件上标注。
5. EPR注册
生产者——包括向欧盟销售的进口商和电商卖家——必须在每个销售成员国完成生产者责任延伸（EPR）注册并缴纳相应费用。非欧盟企业必须指定欧盟授权代表。未注册可能导致货物在海关被扣或从平台下架。
| 要求 | 生效日期 | 适用范围 |
|---|---|---|
| 重金属限值 | 2026年8月12日 | 所有包装 |
| PFAS限值（食品接触） | 2026年8月12日 | 食品接触包装 |
| EPR注册 | 2026年8月12日 | 所有生产者/进口商 |
| 标签统一化 | 约2028年（待授权法案） | 所有包装 |
| 可回收性仅A/B/C级 | 2030年 | 所有包装 |
| 可回收性仅A/B级 | 2038年 | 所有包装 |
| 规模化回收目标 | 2035年 | 所有包装 |
ESG松绑了吗？
需要区分PPWR与其他欧盟可持续法规。2026年2月，欧盟通过了"综合方案一"（Omnibus I）简化方案，大幅收窄了《企业可持续发展报告指令》（CSRD）的适用范围——门槛提高至员工超过1000人且净营业额超过4.5亿欧元，约3.1万家中型企业被排除在外——同时推迟了《企业可持续尽职调查指令》（CSDDD）。
但PPWR并未被纳入此轮简化。欧盟委员会已确认包装法规的核心义务保持不变。因CSRD松绑而松了一口气的出口企业，不应将这种宽松感错误地投射到包装合规上。
处罚措施
PPWR将具体罚款金额的制定权下放给各成员国，仅要求处罚"有效、相称且有震慑力"。根据早期信号，罚款预计为违规企业在相关成员国年营业额的2%至6%，同时可能伴随货物扣押和销售禁令。德国依据第68条保留了本国沿用多年的双元回收体系，在程序要求上可能与其他成员国存在差异。
出口企业行动清单
- 材料审计：立即向所有材料供应商索要重金属和PFAS检测报告，优先处理食品接触类SKU。
- EPR注册：梳理产品销售的每一个欧盟成员国，启动EPR注册。非欧盟实体需指定欧盟授权代表。
- 标签审查：更新包装设计稿，加入材料代码、制造商/欧盟联系信息和回收标志。为全SKU范围的标签变更做好预算。
- 可回收性评估：委托有资质的实验室按照即将出台的可回收性标准评估包装，优先设计能达到2030年A/B/C门槛的方案。
- 供应商合同：在供应商协议中加入PPWR合规条款，包括对不合规材料的赔偿约定。
2026年不是终点，而是发令枪。标签统一、可回收性分级和规模化回收目标将在未来12年陆续落地。现在就把合规纳入包装设计流程的品牌，将避免日后昂贵的重新配方。
Need a Packaging Partner for EU Compliance?
Great Union helps brands navigate PPWR, PFAS testing and EPR registration across 500+ product lines and 20+ markets.
Send an Inquiry WhatsApp Us