What impact will the EU plastic restrictions have on food packaging?

The impact of the EU plastic restrictions (especially the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation PPWR) on food packaging is mainly reflected in the following aspects:
📦 Limitations on Packaging Materials and Design
Prohibition of specific disposable plastics: The European Union prohibits the use of disposable plastic tableware, straws, and other products, and plans to expand the scope of the ban, such as plastic sugar packs and sauce packs in dine in scenarios.
Recyclability requirement: Starting from 2030, all food packaging must meet recyclability standards (such as a recyclability rate of not less than 70%), otherwise it cannot enter the EU market.
Hazardous substance control: Starting from August 2026, the total content of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury in packaging must be ≤ 100mg/kg, and PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substances) in food contact packaging will also be strictly restricted.
🍎 Food Safety and Supply Chain Challenges
Preservation and waste risks: The new regulations may prohibit single use packaging designed for preservation, such as fresh salads and berry packaging, which increases the risk of food spoilage and leads to waste.
Trade barriers: Inconsistent exemption standards for biodegradable packaging among member countries may result in a "patchwork of regulations" that affects cross-border trade, especially putting pressure on the supply chain of perishable goods.
🌱 Promotion of environmentally friendly alternative materials
Biodegradation certification: The EU requires packaging materials to be certified according to standards such as EN 13432 to ensure biodegradability under industrial composting conditions and promote companies to switch to environmentally friendly materials.
Mandatory use of recycled plastics: Starting from 2030, the proportion of recycled materials in plastic packaging must reach 30% -35%, encouraging a circular economy.
⚠️ Difficulties in adapting between enterprises and consumers
Cost and technical barriers: Environmentally friendly materials (such as compostable plastics) have high costs and require adjustments to packaging design to meet recycling standards, putting compliance pressure on small and medium-sized enterprises.
Changes in consumer experience: For example, although the design of one-piece bottle caps reduces plastic pollution, it may affect the convenience of use.
Summary and Recommendations
The EU plastic restriction order promotes the green transformation of food packaging through full lifecycle control, but needs to balance environmental goals with food safety and trade convenience. Enterprises should lay out in advance:
Choose certified biodegradable or high recovery materials;
Optimize packaging design to avoid excessive packaging;
Pay attention to specific regulations of member countries to ensure compliant exports.
For detailed packaging compliance plans for specific food categories such as fresh produce and beverages, please contact the TECHFLOWPACK team.