Topics
EU
July 15, 2026
European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) publishes updated model estimating packaging placed on the market across 19 EU countries; finds plastic packaging volumes increased by about 11% between 2011 and 2025; identifies substantial differences in packaging material use and potential material shifts across product categories and countries
Reading time: 2 minutes
June 11, 2026
European Commission drafts restriction on carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic substances (CMRs) in childcare articles; Food Packaging Forum (FPF) highlights inconsistencies with existing EU legislation that may result in lower protection against CMRs compared with plastic food contact materials
Reading time: 2 minutes
May 20, 2026
European Commission is drafting a regulation to restrict substances deemed to be carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR) from childcare products; includes some food contact materials
Reading time: 2 minutes
May 8, 2026
Revision of the EU flagship chemical legislation, begun in 2020, no longer a priority; minor revisions may still take place through comitology with focus on lowering complexity; chemical industry groups in favor, civil society opposed
Reading time: 2 minutes
April 24, 2026
Ministry submits draft bill allowing compostable or biodegradable single-use plastic packaging, especially for hospitality industry; amends rules outlined by EU’s Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR); argues justification considering availability of bio-waste management infrastructure in Italy
Reading time: 2 minutes
March 13, 2026
European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) briefing covers why food contact materials (FCMs) are regulated, what regulations apply to FCMs, which materials are subject to harmonized EU rules or nation-level legislation, and ongoing work; report references Food Packaging Forum projects and resources
Reading time: 2 minutes
January 28, 2026
Directorate General for Health and Food Safety (DG Sante) publishes study on sustainability of food contact materials (FCMs) in light of planned revision of current EU FCM legislation; identifies seven severe sustainability problems with current FCMs; outlines four policy measures that could address gaps within ongoing EU FCM legislation
Reading time: 5 minutes
November 5, 2025
In 2023, the EU generated a total of 79.7 million tonnes of packaging waste; equates to 177.8 kg per person; of which 120.0 kg were recycled; California estimates 8.5 million tonnes of single-use packaging waste in landfills; most waste in EU and California made up of paper and plastic
Reading time: 2 minutes
November 4, 2025
European Parliament adopts final text of ‘one substance, one assessment’ package; three proposals aim to improve and streamline chemical safety assessments across the EU; now needs to be adopted by European Council of Ministers
Reading time: 2 minutes
September 19, 2025
Statement by European reuse sector calls for harmonized reuse symbol for packaging under Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR); includes clear criteria to prevent misuse; European Commission to develop labeling requirements for PPWR by August 2026
Reading time: 2 minutes
