PPWR compliance & testing solutions for packaging, environment and food

Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on Packaging and Packaging Waste (PPWR) entered into force on 11 February 2025, replacing Directive 94/62/EC and applying directly across all EU Member States. 

The regulation applies to all types of packaging, including plastics, paper, glass, metals and composite materials, and governs the entire lifecycle from production and use to recycling and disposal.

From 12 August 2026, chemical requirements will be strictly enforced, including:

• PFAS in food contact packaging
• Heavy metals, including lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI))
• Bisphenol A (BPA) in food contact materials

Non-compliance may lead to product recalls, regulatory penalties and disruption to export activities into the EU market.

Eurofins provides integrated solutions from testing to compliance assessment, including:

• Packaging and food contact materials
• Environmental monitoring (water and sludge)
• Food safety testing
• Chemical risk assessment

From testing to compliance, Eurofins supports businesses in ensuring their products are safe, compliant, and ready for the EU market.

Heavy Metals Testing

• Determination of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI))
• Assessment against the 100 mg/kg combined limit
• Applicable to plastics, paper, glass, metal, and composite materials

PFAS Testing

• Targeted PFAS analysis combined with Total Fluorine (TF) testing
• Capability to screen up to 487 PFAS substances
• Detection limits down to ppb levels for high-sensitivity assessment
• Use of advanced techniques such as Combustion Ion Chromatography (CIC)

BPA and Bisphenols Testing

• Applicable to plastics, coatings, rubber, and silicone
• Performed in compliance with Regulation (EU) 2026/250
• High-sensitivity quantification of BPA and related substitutes

BPA compliance is a prerequisite for demonstrating PPWR compliance in food contact packaging.

• Analysis of PFAS, including PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, PFHxS, and total PFAS
• Detection of heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As)
• Capability to analyse other hazardous contaminants such as phthalates and mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOSH/MOAH)
• Applicable to meat, seafood, eggs, and a wide range of food products
• Quantification at low levels to meet export requirements

PFAS compliance in food is a key factor linking environmental contamination, packaging integrity, and food safety under PPWR.