Global Food Contact Material Regulations: Updates in the Netherlands, Indonesia, and Brazil

Global Food Contact Material Regulations: Updates in the Netherlands, Indonesia, and Brazil

All News, National/Regional Packaging Legislation, Regulations & Policy

Mid-2025 marks a pivotal wave of updates in food contact material (FCM) regulations across three diverse markets: the Netherlands, Indonesia, and Brazil. While the Netherlands and Indonesia focus on tightening chemical thresholds and harmonizing standards, Brazil sets contaminant standards for recycled cellulosic food-contact materials.   Netherlands Tightens Chemical Thresholds Across FCMs The Netherlands introduced amendments…

Circular Economy Report Warns UK Packaging Producers

Circular Economy Report Warns UK Packaging Producers

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UK packaging and plastics producers risk “leaving money on the table” if they fail to adopt circular business models, according to a new report from WRAP and OC&C Strategy Consultants. The analysis shows companies embracing circular strategies, from designing for reuse and recyclability to offering repair and refurbishment services, are outpacing their linear rivals in…

Global Plastics Treaty INC-5.2 Talks Collapse Without Agreement

Global Plastics Treaty INC-5.2: Talks Collapse Without Agreement

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The second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2), convened from August 5 to 15, 2025 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, represented what many falsely hoped would be the final push toward a legally binding global plastics treaty to curb plastic pollution from production to disposal.   Before the…

Food Contact Compliance for Packaging Manufacturers: U.S. and EU Regulations Comparer

Food Contact Compliance: US and EU Regulations Compared

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In 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is undergoing one of its most transformative regulatory shifts in decades. Prompted by public health concerns and administrative directives, changes in oversight of food contact materials (FCMs) now focus on post-market reassessment, elimination of loopholes, and alignment with best international practices. These reforms, anchored in a…

reusable packaging in UK grocery retail

The Future of Reusable Packaging in UK Grocery Retail

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Nine of the UK’s largest supermarket chains have announced a “Statement of Intent” to explore reusable packaging across physical stores and online channels. Supported by WRAP and governments from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, this initiative aims to significantly reduce single-use packaging.   Coalition of Major Retailers Taking Action The partnership involves Aldi, Asda, Co‑op, Lidl…

US consumer priorities in sustainable packaging

Understanding US Consumer Priorities in Sustainable Packaging

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As of 2025, economic pressures and global uncertainty are strongly influencing consumer behavior in the United States. A new study by McKinsey & Company, conducted in March 2025 across 11 countries and featuring 1,000 US respondents, provides insight into evolving views of US consumer priorities in sustainable packaging. While environmental concerns remain present, they have…

EU Rules for Chemically-Recycled PET in Plastic Bottles

EU Rules for Chemically-Recycled PET in Plastic Bottles

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In the European Commission’s latest publication, new draft rules have been put forward to standardize how companies calculate, verify and report chemically-recycled content in single-use plastic beverage bottles. This initiative is part of the EU’s push to achieve strict recycled content targets under the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD), which demands 25 % recycled PET in…

FCM Rules - Switcherland

Switzerland Updates FCM Rules: BPA & Hazardous Bisphenols

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Switzerland is strengthening its chemical safety rules for food contact materials (FCMs) and articles to match stricter European Union standards. On June 2, 2025, the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) issued RO 2025 395 to amend the nation’s Food Contact Materials Ordinance (RS/SR 817.023.21). The updated measures took effect on July 1, 2025.…

Japanese man shopping in Supermarket - Japan’s Positive List for FCMs 2025

Japan’s Positive List for FCMs: Final Guidance & 5 Year Transition

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In our previous article, we outlined Japan’s introduction of a Positive List (PL) system for food contact materials (FCMs) under the Food Sanitation Act. As the official enforcement date of June 1, 2025 passed, Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) released crucial updates clarifying final procedures, exemptions, and a phased transition period.   Positive List: Finalized Substances and…

UK EPR Glass Packaging Fees 2025 Impact & Cost Comparison - A long row of glass bottles on a conveyor belt. Production of alcoholic beverages

UK EPR Packaging Fees 2025: Impact & Cost Comparison

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The UK government’s newly confirmed base fees for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) have been welcomed by some packaging sectors but continue to draw concern from the glass packaging industry. The Foodservice Packaging Association (FPA) and the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) say the finalized fees give businesses much-needed certainty on the costs they will face…

EU REACH 2025 EU Tightens Chemical Safety

EU REACH 2025: DMAC, NEP Restrictions & New SVHCs

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The European Union continues to push for safer chemicals by placing new restrictions on two commonly used industrial solvents and expanding its Candidate List of hazardous substances. Companies across Europe now face tighter rules under REACH, the EU’s chemical safety law, that aim to protect workers, consumers, and the environment.   Stricter Controls for DMAC…

The Berlaymont building - Green claims directive

The End of The Green Claims Directive?

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The European Commission has unexpectedly stepped back from its proposed Green Claims Directive; a policy aimed at tackling misleading environmental claims made by companies. The withdrawal was announced during the final days of the current European Parliament’s term, sparking frustration among environmental groups and parts of the packaging industry who see it as a missed…