New European Union rules on packaging and packaging waste took effect on 12 August 2026, reshaping how products across the bloc are packaged. The regulation aims to protect the environment and public health while opening new opportunities for businesses in recycling and sustainable materials.
Packaging currently consumes large volumes of raw materials and generates waste that often ends up in landfills or the sea. Some packaging materials also contain harmful chemicals. The new law sets requirements for how all packaging placed on the EU market is manufactured and composed. It also mandates that packaging be reusable or recoverable, meaning it can be reused or converted into something else after its initial use.
From 2030, certain single-use packaging will be banned in cases where more sustainable alternatives exist, such as small condiment packets or miniature hotel toiletries.
Under the new measures, plastic packaging must contain a minimum share of recycled content, with targets increasing through 2030 and 2040. All packaging must be recyclable by 2030. Labelling requirements will also become clearer, with standardised colours and information showing what packaging is made of and how it should be sorted or returned for reuse.
The rules further call for reducing unnecessary packaging and excess space in deliveries. Deposit and return systems will expand, and companies must offer reuse or refill options at no extra cost wherever feasible.
Brands using non-recyclable or environmentally harmful materials will be required to help cover cleanup costs. The law also restricts the use of PFAS, so-called forever chemicals linked to cancer, in food packaging.
The regulation forms part of the EU’s broader push toward a circular, sustainable and competitive economy, harmonising packaging rules across the single market.
