The Regulation will further help tackle the environmental challenges caused by packaging and make Europe less dependent on imported fossil fuels from which plastic packaging is almost entirely made. It will also help strengthen the Single Market for packaging, facilitate cross-border businesses through common rules, and support the EU’s transition to a competitive circular economy and climate neutrality by 2050.
A key measure entering into application tomorrow is a restriction on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food-contact packaging, meaning food-contact packaging containing PFAS above strict limits can no longer be placed on the EU market.
The measure is designed to reduce exposure to so-called ‘forever chemicals’ – a group of highly persistent substances that can accumulate in the environment and in the human body.
PFAS have been commonly used in food packaging such as takeaway containers, fast-food wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, bakery paper and pizza boxes, to repel water or grease. By limiting the use of PFAS in food-contact packaging, the new rules will help protect human health while reducing the release of these harmful substances into the environment.
In addition, definitions, for example for manufacturers and producers responsible for extended producer responsibility of packaging, will now be harmonised across the EU. Certain markings and information will now also be required for packaging, ensuring that packaging manufacturers or importers can be identified and contacted as needed.
“The new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation is an investment in Europe’s future: it will help reduce waste, increase recycling, make food-contact packaging safer for the consumers by limiting harmful substances such as PFAS, and reduce our dependence on virgin raw materials. These are essential steps towards a truly circular economy.
At the same time, the Regulation will replace fragmented national rules difficult to navigate for economic operators in the internal market. But new rules also come with adjustment costs, and we have worked intensively with market operators to implement the new rules in a pragmatic and unbureaucratic way.”
Source: EC Environment
The post New packaging rules set to enter into application furthering protect consumers appeared first on Vastuullisuusuutiset.fi.