New EU Market Packaging Rules

New rules on EU market packaging will take effect from 12 August 2026 and will gradually roll out through to 2040

If you export fruit to the EU, please take note of the following requirements under European Union Regulation 2025/40 on Packaging and Packaging Waste (EU PPWR):

1. This Regulation aims to:
   • avoid and reduce packaging waste, and promote reuse;
   • ensure that all packaging on the EU market is recyclable in an economically viable manner;
   • increase recycling and reuse of packaging materials, particularly plastics.
2. The new rules introduce stricter sustainability, labelling, and conformity requirements for all food packaging. These requirements also apply to suppliers of packaged food to the EU market who are based outside the EU.
3. Key requirements include:
   • All packaging must be recyclable by 2040. Plastic packaging must contain minimum levels of recycled content, must be minimised (by weight and volume), and must have contaminants reduced. Producers of recycled plastic in non-EU countries must ensure production standards equivalent to those applied in the EU for plastic collection and environmental emissions.
   • New limits will be imposed on concentrations of substances of concern in packaging, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
   • Certain packaging formats will be banned, including single-use plastic packaging for quantities of certain fresh fruit and vegetables less than 1.5 kg.
   • All adhesive labels attached to fruit and vegetables must be at least industrially compostable.
   • Documentation demonstrating compliance with these requirements must be communicated throughout the supply chain.
4. From 12 August 2026, every item of packaging placed on the EU market will be legally required to have its own Declaration of Conformity (DoC).
5. In summary, the DoC is a legally binding self-declaration in which the manufacturer (and packaging supplier) confirms that a specific packaging item meets the sustainability requirements of the EU PPWR (Regulation 2025/40).
6. Exporters to the EU must ensure that, by 12 August 2026, information and documentation demonstrating the conformity of packaging and packaging materials are communicated along the Value chain in the form of a DoC and supporting technical documentation.
7. Suppliers and manufacturers of packaging and packaging materials must undertake a conformity assessment procedure and draw up a DoC using the templates provided in Annex VII & VIII.

 The European Union Commission has published supporting documents to facilitate the implementation of the new packaging rules set out in the regulations. Below are the links to the published Regulations, Guidelines and  FAQs.

• EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations
• Guidance Document
• Frequently Asked Questions