Published as part of the Commission’s second Circular Economy Action Plan under the EU Green Deal, the legislation was proposed by the Commission with the ambition to reduce packaging waste, promote cost-effective circular economy principles, and increase the use of recycled materials in packaging. Following almost two years of negotiations, the legislative process was concluded in December 2024, and the text published in the Official Journal on 22 January 2025.
The legislation will be phased in over several years, with the general application date for many aspects 12 August 2026. The legislation will apply to all packaging placed on the Northern Irish and EU market.
So, what is included in the text?
Ban on single-use plastic packaging for pre-packaged fruit and vegetables
Single-use plastic packaging for less than 1,5 kg pre-packed fresh fruit and vegetables will be banned. However, Member States may introduce exemptions for specific reasons, e.g to avoid water or turgidity loss, microbiological hazards or physical shocks, or to keep organic products separate from non-organic.
Compostable sticky labels on fruit and vegetables
By 12 February 2028, sticky labels on fruit and vegetables must be compostable. Sticky labels must be compatible with the standard for composting in industrially controlled conditions in bio-waste treatment facilities and shall be compatible, where required by the Member States, with home-composting standards.
Minimising packaging waste
From 1 January 2030, manufacturers and importers are required to design packaging so that its weight and volume are reduced to the necessary minimum while maintaining functionality. There are some exceptions, for example packaging for Geographical Indication (GI) products.
In addition, Member States are encouraged to transition towards reusable packaging. Members States must also reduce packaging waste per capita by:
- 5 % by 2030;
- 10 % by 2035;
- 15 % by 2040.
Packaging must be fully recyclable and contain minimum recycled content
By 2023, all packaging placed on the single market must be fully recyclable. Additionally, there must be a minimum recycled content in plastic packaging. The minimum amounts will increase incrementally until 2040.
Furthermore, packaging should be labelled and marked with information requirements to help facilitate consumer sorting and choices.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) banned in food contact materials
From 12 August 2026, food-contact packaging shall not be placed on the market if it contains per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in a concentration equal to or above specific limit values:
- 25 ppb for any PFAS as measured with targeted PFAS analysis (polymeric PFAS excluded from quantification)
- 250 ppb for the sum of PFAS measured as the sum of targeted PFAS analysis, where applicable with prior degradation of precursors (polymeric PFAS excluded from quantification); and
- 50 ppm for PFASs (including polymeric PFAS). If testing shows fluorine levels above 50 mg/kg, companies must be able to demonstrate whether the fluorine is due to PFAS or other fluorinated substances, and provide supporting evidence when requested for regulatory compliance purposes.
Return, collection, deposit and return schemes
Member States are required to set up return and collection schemes and must establish mandatory collection targets by 1 January 2029. Wine, spirits, and dairy products are excluded.
Next steps
Member States are required to integrate the provisions of this regulation into their national laws and ensure compliance by economic operators. The regulation emphasises the importance of monitoring and enforcement to achieve its environmental and market objectives.