Provisional agreement reached on EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation

European Parliament and Council conclude negotiations on packaging and packaging waste regulation (PPWR); bans all PFAS in food packaging; targets at least 10% reusable beverage packaging by 2030; requires deposit return system for plastic and metal beverage containers; packaging reduction targets set to start in 2030

Growing concerns around industry lobbying in the EU

European Parliament opening internal investigation into lobbyist conduct related to the packaging and packaging waste regulation; civil society organization Corporate Europe Observatory publishes report of industry arguments made to DG Grow and DG Environment about the essential use concept

2024 food contact chemical and material policy outlook

Public and political concerns related to chemical exposures, human health, and environmental pollution continue to grow; brief overview of some of the EU, US, and UN policies and projects that FPF is tracking in 2024

European Council adopts position on Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation

Maintains criteria that all packaging must be recyclable; introduces requirement for separate waste collection; tasks Commission with preparing a report on substances of concern and their impact on recycling, reuse, and chemical safety

European Parliament adopts amended Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation

Includes ban on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and bisphenol A in food packaging and general packaging reduction targets; decreases reuse obligations

European investors sign letter for a strong PPWR

European investors call for stronger Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR); advocate for robust regulations for a sustainable future; strong regulation can increase confidence and reduce financial risks

European Parliamentarians host events on food packaging safety

EU Green Week 2023 includes panels discussing food packaging safety and plastics in a circular economy

Coalition signs open letter to EU advocating for reuse systems to reduce packaging waste

Civil society organizations and reuse businesses concerned about lobbying for packaging and packaging waste regulation (PPWR); urge for well-designed reuse systems in PPWR; emphasize the scientific evidence in accompanying fact sheet; Euroconsumers presents checklist with five criteria to consider for a robust PPWR

Ukraine aligns with EU packaging and chemical regulations

Ukraine moving to align chemical and packaging regulations with EU standards; proposes regulations to align with Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP), and Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations; World Trade Organization notifications open for comment until June 19 and July 4, 2023, respectively

Investors urge major companies to reduce single-use plastic packaging

Investors with over $10 trillion in assets call for urgent action to reduce single-use plastic packaging in the fast-moving consumer goods and grocery retail sectors; cite environmental, climate, and public health threats posed by the entire plastics lifecycle; express concern over the financial risks to companies and investors