(EU) 2024/1785 - EU Packaging Waste Directive

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The original Packaging Directive 94/62/EC has been replaced by the tougher Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation (EU) 2024/1785 fully binding from 2025/2026. It affects every box, bag, bottle, label, tape, pallet wrap, or filler you use to sell anything in the EU/UK.

Key obligations that trigger immediate bans if missed:

• Total ban on PFAS in food-contact packaging (2026) and all packaging (2030)  
• Single-use plastic bans expanded (i.e., hotel mini-shampoos, fruit stickers, shrink-wrap on vegetables)  
• Maximum heavy-metal limits (lead, cadmium, mercury, CrVI < 100 ppm total)  
• Minimum recycled content mandates starting 2030 (i.e., 30% in plastic beverage bottles, rising fast)  
• Mandatory recyclability scoring (Design-for-Recycling) – packaging scoring <70% will be prohibited  
• Extended Producer Responsibility fees skyrocketing if your packaging isn’t registered and reported correctly

Non-compliance is instant demise: customs seizures of whole containers, nationwide sales bans, fines up to 4% of global turnover, forced recalls, and EU large retailers rejecting suppliers without valid recyclability certificates and EPR registration numbers.

One PFAS-coated pizza box or non-recyclable label can lock you out of Europe and cost millions overnight. Major brands are already cutting non-compliant suppliers.

Professional packaging compliance audits, recyclability testing, PFAS screening, EPR registration, and redesign support are now essential. Don’t wait for the border rejection notice. 

Perform a risk assessment  or Book a compliance review and Secure your packaging compliance today before your next shipment becomes worthless scrap.