In 2024, European regulations made significant strides toward enhancing sustainability, promoting consumer protection, and addressing the environmental impacts of materials such as plastics and chemicals. These regulations, spanning various sectors from packaging waste to food contact materials, aim to establish a safer, greener future for the EU and its neighboring countries. This article highlights important European legislative actions in the year 2024, providing a detailed view of the evolving landscape of environmental regulations in Europe.
Table of Contents
Germany Implemented Plastic Tax
Germany introduced a plastic tax through the “Single-Use Plastic Fund Act” (EWKFondsG), which took effect on January 1, 2024, with the first payments due in 2025. This initiative aligns with the EU Green Deal and Directive 2019/904, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of single-use plastic products and promote sustainability. The levy is expected to generate up to €436 million, which will be allocated to public waste management authorities. Specific levy rates apply to various plastic products, such as beverage containers, bags, and tobacco filters.
Switzerland Amended Ordinance on Food Contact Materials to Align with EU Standards
On February, Switzerland implemented Official Collection 2023 836, introducing significant revisions to its Materials and Articles Ordinance (817.023.21) governing food contact materials. These amendments aimed to harmonize Swiss regulations with EU standards, particularly Regulation (EU) 2020/1245 for food contact plastics and Regulation (EU) 2022/1616 for recycled plastics. Key changes included stricter authorization requirements for recycled plastics, new compliance rules for packaging inks, and updated annexes detailing substance specifications and production information.
EU Adopted New Directive to Empower Consumers Against Greenwashing
The same month, the European Union also adopted Directive (EU) 2024/825, known as the Empowering Consumers Directive (ECD), to promote sustainable consumption and combat misleading commercial practices such as greenwashing. The directive aimed to enhance transparency and consumer protection by amending existing consumer laws and requiring clear, relevant information about product sustainability. It prohibited misleading claims related to a product’s environmental and social attributes and restricted false advertising tactics.
Germany Regulation Updates on Food Contact Materials
In August, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) announced significant updates to regulations governing materials that come into contact with food. The most notable revision was to Recommendation XXXVI, which now includes stricter migration limits for three phthalates (DEHP, DBP, and DIBP) in paper and board products. The updated limits for these chemicals are substantially lower, with a new weighted formula to assess their combined presence. The BfR also expanded the list of approved additives, including sodium benzoate as a preservative and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a wet-strength agent.
REACH legislation was amended by 2024/2462
On September, the European Union introduced Regulation 2024/2462, amending the REACH Regulation to impose strict limits on undecafluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) and its related substances. These “forever chemicals” are notorious for their environmental persistence and accumulation in living organisms. The EU aimed to reduce public exposure to PFHxA by restricting its use in products such as food containers, kitchen papers, and fast-food wrappers. The regulation sets concentration limits for PFHxA in finished products and allows a phased phase-out, providing companies time to adapt while minimizing economic disruption.
PPWR Formally Adopted by The EU Council
On December, the EU Council formally adopted the Package and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), designed to reduce packaging waste and promote sustainability. The regulation introduces binding targets for re-use, sets recycling criteria for packaging, and restricts specific single-use packaging types. Among the key provisions are targets for recycled content, such as a 65% minimum for single-use plastic bottles by 2040, and the introduction of new labelling requirements for consumers.
EU Ban on Bisphenol A in Food Contact Materials
Also on December, the European Commission (EC) introduced Regulation (EU) 2024/3190, which imposes a comprehensive ban on bisphenol A (BPA) and other hazardous bisphenols in food-contact materials. Effective from January 20, 2025, this regulation covers products like plastics, coatings, adhesives, printing inks, and rubber. The ban extends to BPA salts and derivatives, aiming to eliminate harmful chemicals from items in direct contact with food.
Conclusion
The regulatory landscape in Europe is rapidly evolving as nations and institutions take meaningful steps to address environmental challenges and enhance consumer protection. From reducing packaging waste to combating greenwashing, the legislative measures introduced between 2024 and 2025 highlight Europe’s ongoing commitment to a sustainable future. By aligning with international goals such as the Paris Agreement and strengthening local regulations on harmful substances, Europe is setting a global example in the fight for sustainability. As these initiatives take full effect, they promise to drive systemic changes that reduce environmental harm and encourage more transparent and responsible consumption patterns.
