Tech Watch: New European Regulation on Packaging and Packaging Waste - Eurofins Softlines & Hardlines

On 22 April 2023, the European Commission published Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste which amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 and Directive (EU) 2019/904, and repealing Directive 94/62/EC.

Its main objective is to promote a circular economy by establishing packaging requirements such as:

• New objectives such as a minimum percentage of recycled content in packaging by 2030-2040, reuse of packaging by 2030 and other objectives for 2040.
• Minimising the quantity of packaging through design, weight and volume and avoiding unnecessary packaging.
• Minimising substances of concern, such as per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) and bisphenol A, common in food contact materials, are banned.
• Labelling, marking and information requirements to facilitate classification, sorting and choice by consumers
• New rules introducing restrictions on single-use plastic packaging.
• Harmonising standards across the European Union, removing trade barriers and establishing uniform criteria for packaging design, recyclability and labelling.

This Regulation shall enter into force on 11 February 2025, and it shall apply from 12 August 2026.

For more information, please refer to the official publication on the European Commission website here.