After much anticipation and industry debate, the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is set to come into force, aiming to drive major strides in environmental performance across industries, including confectionery, snacks and bakery markets, reports Neill Barston.

Significantly, as sector analysts have advised, while the UK may have left the European Union several years ago, any business wishing to import to the continent will have to comply with its far higher standards than are presently operated within the region.

As compliance specialist Valpak by Reconomy stated, it has welcomed the move, while highlighting that many businesses still have more to do to meet their obligations.

This has already seen major confectionery manufacturers including Nestle, Mars, Mondelez and Ferrero make strongly publicised moves towards reducing plastic within their supply chains, and in at least some instance, shifting their focus into exploring sustainable paper-based packaging options.

As our title has previously covered, the move will have far-reaching implications across sectors, and comes as consumers are more savvy than ever in terms of environmental and sustainability credentials surrounding confectionery manufacturing. This will form among notable topics at this year’s World Confectionery Conference on 10th September. You can register for this year’s event via the following direct link. 

Compliance requirements
As Valpak noted, under the new rules, from 12 August 2026, food-contact packaging must comply with strict thresholds of perluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, while heavy metals must be under the thresholds outlined in the PPWR for all packaging. However, as the organisation noted,  packaging placed on the market before 12 August 2026 can still be sold – though reportedly confusion across sectors has remained.

This is all the more the case as manufacturers already face significant challenges from increased energy costs for production, as well as ingredients, including cocoa, costing notably more than just two years ago, resulting in a strong air of uncertainty amid the industry. 

Lucy Dolan, Operations Manager for Global Compliance at Valpak, said: “From the date of implementation in August, PPWR takes immediate effect. This means that each packaging unit produced after that date must hold a Declaration of Conformity (DOC) and technical documentation evidencing compliance with applicable sustainability requirements in order to trade legally in the European Union or Northern Ireland.

“Valpak has seen a phenomenal number of queries leading up to the deadline – over 100 each week. Many are SMEs but, whatever the size of business, the challenge is the same. Every business is looking for advice on what they need to do, and when they need to do it. We are also seeing confusion around packaging produced before 12 August, which does not fall under the new demand for a DOC.”

The legislation covers packaging all along the supply chain – from supplier to producer – and sets ambitious goals to reduce packaging waste, facilitate reuse and increase recycled content. While the long-term objectives are expected to transform the packaging landscape, Valpak customers are seeking support to ensure compliance from 12 August 2026.

Dolan added: “The demands are challenging – especially for those brands with multiple product lines – but not impossible. As with other areas of compliance, it is all about sourcing, managing and storing the evidence and data effectively. Valpak breaks the process into four steps that build data sets and auditable records, before structuring the Declaration of Conformity.”