With the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) taking effect on 12 August, fresh produce businesses supplying the European Union are accelerating efforts to meet new packaging compliance requirements.

While many companies have focused on understanding the regulation itself, industry experts say the immediate priority is no longer interpreting the rules but building the documentation needed to demonstrate compliance.

According to a June 2026 survey by compliance platform Simvia, only 35% of food and beverage companies in the EU said they were confident about meeting the PPWR deadline.

Compliance Extends Beyond EU-Based Companies

The regulation applies to virtually every packaging format placed on the EU market, including punnets, trays, nets, bags, crates and pallet hoods.

Importantly, PPWR obligations are linked to where packaging is placed on the market, rather than where a company is located.

As a result, growers, packers, exporters and importers outside the EU—including suppliers in the UK and other international markets—must also comply when supplying packaged fresh produce into the European Union.

Packaging Data Becomes a Critical Requirement

Unlike previous packaging regulations that primarily focused on packaging weight or material quantities, PPWR requires businesses to provide detailed material composition for every packaging component.

For many fresh produce businesses, this presents a significant challenge because individual packaging formats often consist of multiple components sourced from different suppliers.

For example, a fruit punnet may include:

• Plastic tray
• Absorbent pad
• Sealing film
• Labels
• Adhesives
• Printing inks
• Surface coatings

Each component requires supporting documentation to verify material composition and regulatory compliance.

Immediate Priorities Before the Deadline

Industry guidance recommends companies first establish a complete inventory of every packaging format that will remain on the EU market after 12 August.

Businesses should identify:

• Packaging SKU
• Customer
• Destination market
• Packaging level
• Responsible supplier
• Internal document owner

Companies are also encouraged to request detailed compliance evidence from packaging suppliers rather than relying on general statements confirming PPWR compliance.

Priority documentation includes:

• Material composition data
• PFAS declarations
• Heavy metal information
• Test reports
• Declarations of Conformity (DoC)

Particular attention should be given to PFAS, as packaging exceeding the regulation’s permitted limits cannot be placed on the EU market once the regulation takes effect.

Technical Files Will Continue After Implementation

Industry experts note that few companies are expected to complete every technical requirement before the regulation comes into force.

Instead, the focus should be on ensuring prohibited packaging is not marketed while systematically building the required technical documentation after implementation.

Recommended post-deadline actions include:

• Creating technical files for each packaging family
• Classifying compliance status using risk categories
• Assigning document ownership
• Tracking outstanding supplier information
• Introducing version control for packaging changes
• Monitoring expiry dates of declarations and test reports

Data Management Becomes Long-Term Compliance Strategy

As packaging specifications continue to evolve through seasonal changes, retailer requirements and supplier updates, maintaining accurate packaging records will become an ongoing responsibility rather than a one-time exercise.

Industry experts emphasize that future packaging introductions should not proceed until composition data and supplier declarations have been verified.

For fresh produce suppliers, PPWR represents a shift from traditional packaging compliance toward continuous data management, traceability and technical documentation. Companies that establish structured packaging information systems now are expected to be better positioned to respond efficiently to future retailer requests, regulatory inspections and evolving environmental requirements.

Last Updated on 30/07/2026 by Jota Machinery