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.
A peer-reviewed study found that biodegradable PLA-lined cups release approximately 12 times more micro- and nanoplastic particles than conventional PE-lined cups when exposed to hot water, raising questions about material substitution decisions in food contact packaging.
European food producers and packaging manufacturers face a major problem: compliance with EU Regulation 10/2011 or the PPWR does not transfer to the US, Japan or China, where divergent positive lists, extraction tests and migration limits require separate regulatory assessment.
A survey of 200 British manufacturers and suppliers found that 93 % have been affected or expect to be affected by the PPWR, with over half already making or having completed packaging changes to comply with EU requirements.
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).
Italy has become the first EU Member State to exercise the PPWR’s Article 9(2)(b) flexibility, mandating compostability instead of recyclability for specific single-use plastic packaging in fresh produce and HoReCa.
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.
The European Commission has launched three parallel calls for evidence to develop the secondary legislation defining how PPWR recycled content targets for plastic packaging are calculated, verified and enforced. The feedback period runs until 16 September 2026.
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.
A JRC study analysing 19 EU Member States found that plastic was the only packaging category to grow between 2011 and 2025, increasing 11 % to 5.9 million tonnes, while all other materials declined or remained stable.