The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung, BfR) has released a comprehensive set of updates affecting nine different types of food contact materials (FCMs) and articles. These updates, effective October 1, 2025, include eight revised recommendations and one withdrawal, refining safety and compliance expectations across materials such as polymers, silicones and paper-based…
Starting January 2026, all companies that produce, import, distribute or sell plastic packaging in Brazil will be legally required to participate in a reverse logistics system. The regulation, set out under Decree No. 12,688, covers primary, secondary and tertiary packaging, including single-use items such as plastic cutlery. How Can Companies Comply? Under this regulation,…
Turkey has officially amended its Food Codex Regulation to allow the use of recycled plastics in materials intended to come into contact with food. This regulatory development, which entered into force on September 15, 2025, marks a significant shift in national policy toward circularity and sustainability in packaging, while emphasizing safety and strict quality control.…
India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) has issued a draft amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018, proposing a complete ban on the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and bisphenol A (BPA) in food contact materials. The move, released through a draft notification on October 6, 2025, marks a…
Denmark has completed a public consultation on its proposed draft governing food contact materials (FCMs) and articles, a move that could reshape the nation’s packaging standards. We outline the main points of the proposed Executive Order, its scope and the implications for businesses. If approved, the new rules will come into effect on January 1,…
Governments across Africa have introduced a wave of new packaging regulations in 2025, focusing on extended producer responsibility (EPR), bans on single-use plastics, and harmonization of technical standards. These measures aim to reduce waste, encourage recycling, and align national policies with international trade requirements. This article highlights the most recent developments, from Kenya’s EPR rollout…
On September 1st 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced a proposal to add three substances to the Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs). A public consultation on the proposal is now open and will run until October 16, 2025. Substances Under Review The substances under review are: 4,4′-[2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethylidene]diphenol and its…
India’s rPET industry (recycled PET) is facing turbulence after amendments to the Plastic Waste Management Rules created uncertainty around recycled content obligations. The Association of PET Recyclers (Bharat), which represents Indian recycling companies, has warned that brand owners are stalling procurement, undermining demand and threatening years of investment. Brand Owners Delay Purchases Amid Rule…
Ukraine officially launched its REACH regulation, known as UA REACH (Resolution No. 847/2024), on January 26, 2025. Modeled on the EU REACH framework, this legislation establishes a structured system for the registration, evaluation, and management of chemicals on the Ukrainian market. For packaging companies importing raw materials, additives, or polymers, the regulation introduces new compliance…
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has unveiled new certification standards for beverage bottles, cleaning product containers, and cosmetics packaging. The criteria, effective from 24 January 2026, aim to cut down material use, encourage higher recycled content, and simplify recyclability processes. Certification Standards: Government Push Toward Circular Economy These standards are an…
Poland’s Ministry of Environment is preparing to roll out a fully state-run Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system, sparking pushback from major packaging industry groups including EUROPEN, Cepi, Flexible Packaging Europe, and Pro Carton. The organizations warn that the proposed model risks undermining both the EU Waste Framework Directive (WFD) and the Packaging and Packaging Waste…
A joint analysis by The Guardian and the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) warns that the United Kingdom is falling behind the European Union on environmental protections in the wake of Brexit. Since leaving the EU, Britain has rolled back at least four significant safeguards covering habitats, air and water quality, and chemical safety.…