{"id":10625,"date":"2025-12-03T23:59:02","date_gmt":"2025-12-04T04:59:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/?p=10625"},"modified":"2025-12-03T23:59:02","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T04:59:02","slug":"major-packaging-reforms-arrive-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/?p=10625","title":{"rendered":"Major packaging reforms arrive in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"article-image\">\n<figure class=\"article-image__container\">\n                                    <picture><source media=\"(min-width: 990px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.packaging-gateway.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2025\/12\/Sustainable-770x433.jpg\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 430px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.packaging-gateway.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2025\/12\/Sustainable-940x528.jpg\"\/>\n                                    <\/picture><figcaption class=\"c-featured-image__description\">The EU, UK, Brazil, Japan and Chile are introducing tougher packaging rules that will force companies to rethink packaging design, supply chains and waste-management practices. \/ Credit: WINDCOLORS via Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"drop-cap\">The global packaging industry is on the cusp of major regulatory changes as several jurisdictions roll out stricter packaging rules in 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Under these reforms, producers, manufacturers, importers and retailers will face new requirements around packaging design, recyclability, labelling, waste-management responsibility and extended producer responsibility (EPR).<\/p>\n<div class=\"in-article-premium-insights mobile-useragent-scalar\">\n<section class=\"gms-b2b-marketing\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.packaging-gateway.com\/wp-content\/themes\/goodlife-wp-B2B\/assets\/images\/GMS-logo.svg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n<h4> Discover B2B Marketing That Performs <\/h4>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCombine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.globaldatamarketingsolutions.com\/\" class=\"gms-find-out-more\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFind out more <span><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"13\" height=\"9\" viewbox=\"0 0 13 9\" fill=\"none\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M11.685 4.5548L1.25586 4.5548L11.685 4.5548Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><path d=\"M11.685 4.5548L1.25586 4.5548\" stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"1.03145\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/><path d=\"M7.85693 0.918855L11.9827 4.5731L7.85693 8.33789\" stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"1.03145\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p>Companies operating globally will need to adapt quickly to ensure compliance and avoid disruption.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-eu-regulation-mandates-recyclability-and-labelling-from-august-2026\">EU regulation mandates recyclability and labelling from august 2026<\/h2>\n<p>In the European Union, the Regulation (EU) 2025\/40 on packaging and packaging waste \u2014 known as Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) \u2014 came into force in February 2025 and becomes fully applicable from 12 August 2026.<\/p>\n<p>The PPWR replaces the previous directive (94\/62\/EC) and introduces a unified EU-wide legal framework for all packaging entering the market.<\/p>\n<p>Key obligations under the new regulation include:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Packaging placed on the EU market must comply with strict sustainability and recyclability standards.<\/li>\n<li>Food-contact packaging must meet limits on harmful substances \u2014 for example, certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) will be banned above specific thresholds.<\/li>\n<li>All packaging must carry harmonised labelling and marking to support proper sorting, recycling or reuse.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The regulation aims to reduce packaging waste, promote reuse, boost high-quality recycling, and support the transition to a circular economy across the EU.<\/p>\n<p>For multinational businesses, the PPWR means that even imported or third-country packaging must comply with those new requirements starting August 2026. <\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-uk-expands-extended-producer-responsibility-under-pepr-from-2026\">UK expands extended producer responsibility under pEPR from 2026<\/h2>\n<p>In the United Kingdom, the revised Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024 under the Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) regime came into effect in 2025, with the full operational framework ramping up into 2026.<\/p>\n<p>From 1 April 2025 onwards, businesses that supply or import packaging above certain thresholds must register, report detailed data on the packaging they place on the market, and \u2014 from 2026 \u2014 pay fees based on the amount, material and recyclability of the packaging.<\/p>\n<p>Under the pEPR model, producers now bear the full cost of collecting, sorting, recycling or disposing of household packaging.<\/p>\n<p>Fees will be modulated: packaging that is easier to recycle or reuse will generally incur lower costs, while hard-to-recycle materials will attract higher fees.<\/p>\n<p>Businesses must already collect packaging data, assess recyclability and register with the regulator.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-businesses-face-a-new-compliance-landscape-worldwide\">Businesses face a new compliance landscape worldwide<\/h2>\n<p>For global manufacturers, retailers and suppliers, 2026 marks a turning point. Whether operating in the EU, UK or exporting to either market, entities must re-evaluate packaging design, supply chains, labelling and waste-management obligations.<\/p>\n<p>Under the EU\u2019s PPWR, nearly all packaging materials will be subject to stricter rules, including bans on certain substances, mandatory recyclability, and harmonised labelling.<\/p>\n<p>In the UK, companies that previously avoided responsibility for packaging disposal costs now face a complete shift: they must track, report and pay for end-of-life packaging waste under pEPR.<\/p>\n<p>These regulatory changes will likely influence material choices (e.g. favouring recyclable or compostable materials), prompt redesign of packaging formats, and raise the importance of sustainable packaging planning early in product development.<\/p>\n<p>Global supply-chain actors should audit their current packaging, supply and import practices now \u2014 and prepare for new compliance frameworks that kick in during 2026.<\/p>\n<p><!-- Newsletter banner start --><\/p>\n<p><!-- <link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"\"> --><\/p>\n<div class=\"grid-container\">\n<section class=\"gdm-newsletter-banner__container\">\n<div class=\"grid-x gdm-newsletter-banner__wrapper-container gdm-newsletter-banner__wrapper-container--article\">\n<div class=\"cell large-9 gdm-newsletter-banner-info__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"gdm-newsletter-banner-logo__container\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.packaging-gateway.com\/wp-content\/themes\/goodlife-wp-B2B\/assets\/images\/newsletter-new.svg\" alt=\"Email newsletter icon\"\/>\n                <\/div>\n<p><h3 class=\"gdm-newsletter-banner__heading wp-noreslt\">Sign up for our daily news round-up!<\/h3>\n<h3 class=\"gdm-newsletter-banner__sub-heading\">Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights.<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p><!-- Newsletter banner end --><\/p>\n<div class=\"author-bio\">\n<h2>Packaging Gateway Excellence Awards &#8211; Nominations Closed<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 20px;\">Nominations are now closed for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.packaging-gateway.com\/excellence-awards\/?utm_source=verdict_news&amp;utm_medium=footer_cta&amp;utm_campaign=EA_2025_news&amp;utm_id=exawards2025\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Packaging Gateway Excellence Awards<\/strong><\/a>. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered \u2013 your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Excellence in Action<\/strong>&#13;<br \/>\n<br \/>Oxipack\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.packaging-gateway.com\/excellence-awards\/featured-company\/2025-oxipack\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>deterministic vacuum decay systems<\/strong> <\/a>have earned multiple awards, recognising breakthroughs in leak detection machinery and waste prevention. Learn how Oxipack is helping manufacturers protect product quality, support recyclable and paper-based formats, and improve line efficiency with fast, non-destructive testing.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.packaging-gateway.com\/excellence-awards\/featured-company\/2025-oxipack\/\" class=\"excellence-awards-link\"><strong style=\"font-size: 20px;\">Discover the Impact<\/strong><\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<footer class=\"article-footer\">\n                                <!-- article-actions start --><\/p>\n<p><!-- .gdm-article-actions -->                                <!-- article-actions end --><br \/>\n                            <\/footer>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.packaging-gateway.com\/news\/major-packaging-reforms-arrive-in-2026\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The EU, UK, Brazil, Japan and Chile are introducing tougher packaging rules that will force companies to rethink packaging design, supply chains and waste-management practices. \/ Credit: WINDCOLORS via Shutterstock The global packaging industry is on the cusp of major regulatory changes as several jurisdictions roll out stricter packaging rules in 2026. Under these reforms, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":10626,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[165],"tags":[2767],"class_list":["post-10625","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-packaging-news","tag-major-packaging-reforms-arrive-in-2026"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10625","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10625"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10625\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/10626"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10625"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=10625"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=10625"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}