The SCoPAFF has approved binding maximum levels for MOAH in food across a wide range of categories, replacing the indicative levels from 2022. The limits are expected to enter into force in 2027.
Six major consumer goods companies have formed the PaperFlex Consortium, convened by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, to accelerate the development of recyclable and biodegradable paper-based flexible packaging as an alternative to plastic films, sachets and pouches.
The European Commission has updated its Single-Use Plastics guidelines to add a new example on mixed-material closures: plastic caps used with aluminium foil lids must be tethered, while the foil seal is exempt under Article 6(2).
The European Commission has missed the 12 August 2026 deadline to adopt the implementing act establishing harmonized labelling specifications for packaging under Article 12 of the PPWR. The act is now expected in Q4 2026.
Wales has appointed Exchange for Change as its DRS administrator, giving the UK a single scheme operator across all four nations. Meanwhile, independent brewers are calling for a delay, citing unresolved questions around glass, EPR interaction and readiness.
Under the PPWR, private label operators whose name or trademark appears on packaging are classified as the manufacturer, bearing full responsibility for technical documentation, Declaration of Conformity and EPR registration in each Member State.
Germany’s new Packaging Law Implementation Act (VerpackDG) entered into force on 12 August 2026, retaining the dual system and ZSVR while expanding authorisation requirements for B2B packaging and raising plastic recycling rates.
The European Commission has issued letters of formal notice and reasoned opinions to 14 EU Member States for failing to meet binding municipal waste and packaging waste recycling targets, with implications for the higher targets ahead under the PPWR.
The PPWR’s minimisation, recyclability and substance restriction requirements now directly constrain packaging design decisions, while EPR fee modulation turns these technical choices into measurable financial consequences.
The REACH (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2026 formally extend UK REACH transitional registration deadlines to 27 October 2029, 2030 and 2031, completing a process that began with Defra’s December 2025 consultation response.
he European Commission has published the second edition of its PPWR Frequently Asked Questions document ahead of the 12 August 2026 application date, with new guidance on manufacturer definitions, PFAS compliance, enforcement approach and traceability requirements.
The German Federal Cabinet has approved a draft 2027 budget including a national plastics tax. Major industry associations argue the measure is designed to fill budget gaps rather than deliver environmental outcomes.