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EU Tightens Packaging Regulations (PPWR): New Challenges for Export Businesses
To realize the goals of a circular economy and reduce plastic waste, the European Union (EU) has officially issued Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on Packaging and Packaging Waste (PPWR). This new regulation replaces Directive 94/62/EC, establishing a uniform standard to remove trade barriers and protect public health.
1. Strict control of "substances of concern"
One of the most urgent changes is the tightening of chemical content in packaging, especially the group of PFAS substances (commonly used in waterproof materials).
Application deadline: From August 12, 2026.
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Limit threshold: * 25 ppb for each individual PFAS.
250 ppb for the total of all PFAS.
50 ppm for the PFAS group including polymers.
Requirement: Seafood businesses must disclose detailed PFAS content in the technical dossier for types of films, plastic trays, and plastic bags in direct contact with food.
2. Design standards and recycled plastic content
The EU has set a specific roadmap to turn all packaging on the market into "green packaging":
Recyclability: By 2030, 100% of packaging must be designed to be recyclable.
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Mandatory recycled plastic content (by 2030):
PET plastic packaging: Minimum 30%.
Other plastic packaging (PP, PE): Minimum 10% (increasing to 25% by 2040).
Space optimization: From January 1, 2030, the empty space ratio in shipping and e-commerce packaging is limited to a maximum of 50%. This forces businesses to recalculate carton sizes and limit filler materials.
3. New labeling standards
To help consumers sort waste effectively, the EU requires:
Before August 12, 2028: Waste sorting labels according to the common EU standard must be printed on all packaging.
January 2030: Identification information about substances of concern must be printed on labels.
4. Recommendations for Vietnamese businesses
Facing this new technical barrier, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Enterprises (VASEP) makes the following recommendations:
In-depth research: Proactively update the content of Regulation 2025/40 to adjust packaging design in time.
System review: Re-check the entire packaging production process at the factory, ensuring no violation of banned chemical thresholds.
Prepare documentation: Complete the declaration of conformity (DoC) before August 2026 to ensure goods are not delayed when exporting to this demanding market.
5. Packaging manufacturer compliant with EU standards
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HOANG PHUC INDUSTRIAL PACKAGING MANUFACTURING CO., LTD
Address : 323A Le Quang Dinh, Binh Loi Trung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
Address : 256/32 TX25, Thanh Xuan Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
Address: : Hamlet 5, Thanh Tuyen, Dau Tieng Commune, Ho Chi Minh City
Phone : (028) 62770135 –Hotline: 0975 777 035
Email: info@hoangphucpack.com
Website: https://www.hoangphucpack.com - https://hoangphucpacking.vn/
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