PFAS ban 2026: What Brands Need to Know Now

This is not just a supplier topic.

It directly affects:

• Brand owners
• Manufacturers of packaged goods
• Importers placing products on the EU market

Any food contact packaging first placed on the market after 12 August 2026 must comply, even if it was produced earlier.

For companies placing packaged goods on the EU market, PFAS compliance is now a strategic priority.

PFAS Is Already Widely Restricted

The upcoming PPWR ban builds on existing global regulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Key restrictions already include:

• Stockholm Convention & EU POPs Regulation - bans on PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS
• EU REACH (Annex XVII) - restrictions on additional PFAS
• EU Food Contaminants Regulation (2023/915) - maximum PFAS limits in food
• National bans (e.g. Denmark, Switzerland) and the U.S. FDA phase-out of PFAS in food packaging

Regulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is expanding rapidly, globally and across packaging applications.

The direction is clear: elimination is accelerating.

Why PFAS in Packaging Is a Business Risk

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are often invisible within complex packaging structures.

They may be present in:

• Grease-resistant paper and board
• Barrier coatings
• Laminations
• Adhesives
• Plastic surface treatments
• Processing aids

Both paper/cardboard packaging and plastic packaging can carry PFAS risk.

While regulatory focus is strongest on food contact materials (FCMs), broader chemical compliance principles, including minimisation obligations, mean non-food packaging may also come under scrutiny.

The challenge?

PFAS are rarely declared in standard specifications.

Without structured material transparency, risk remains hidden.

Which Packaging Formats Are High Risk?

Companies should prioritise PFAS risk assessment for:

• Grease-resistant paper packaging
• Fast food and bakery packaging
• Microwave applications
• Multi-layer flexible packaging
• Laminated structures
• Coated paper
• Plastic packaging with functional treatments

PFAS can sit several layers deep in multi-material constructions.

You cannot manage what you cannot see.

From Testing Everything to Structured PFAS Risk Assessment

There is currently no harmonised delegated act defining one standard EU methodology for PFAS testing under PPWR.

Testing every SKU is not scalable.

Leading companies are moving toward structured PFAS risk evaluation (PFAS Risiko Bewertung) instead.

A practical approach:

1. Identify Risk Areas First

Assess:

• Full material build-up
• Coatings and barrier layers
• Laminations
• Adhesives
• Additives and processing aids

This requires an extended material list and structured supplier data.

2. Conduct Targeted Testing

Only high-risk packaging formats are prioritised for laboratory analysis.

This approach is:

• Cost-efficient
• Defensible under regulatory scrutiny
• Scalable across large packaging portfolios

Spreadsheets are not sufficient for this level of compliance management.

What Data Is Required for PFAS Compliance?

To prepare for the PPWR 2026 PFAS ban, companies need:

• Complete material composition
• Functional coatings and treatments
• Adhesives and laminating agents
• Supplier declarations
• Structured documentation

In short: full packaging transparency.

Without digitised, structured packaging data, PFAS compliance becomes reactive and risky.

Why Acting Now Matters

2026 is closer than it appears. Reformulating packaging materials, qualifying alternatives, and aligning suppliers takes significant time. Testing capacity will tighten as the PPWR deadline approaches, and retailers are already increasing scrutiny around per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in packaging.

Companies that delay risk ending up with non-compliant stock, facing market withdrawal, legal exposure, and reputational damage. PFAS in packaging is no longer a technical detail, it has become an executive-level compliance and market access risk.

How Packa Supports Your PFAS Compliance Strategy

Packa helps brands digitise and structure packaging material data across their entire portfolio.

With Packa, you can:

• Map full packaging structures
• Build extended material lists
• Conduct structured PFAS risk assessments
• Strengthen supplier collaboration
• Centralise compliance documentation
• Prepare confidently for the PPWR 2026 PFAS prohibition

Instead of reacting to testing results, you gain proactive control over per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) risk.

FAQ: PFAS in Packaging

What are PFAS?

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a group of synthetic chemicals used for grease, water and stain resistance. They are highly persistent and often referred to as “forever chemicals.”

When will PFAS be banned in EU food packaging?

From 12 August 2026, PFAS in food contact packaging will be prohibited under the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).

Who is responsible for PFAS compliance?

The company placing the packaged product on the EU market, typically the brand owner, manufacturer, or importer.

Which packaging materials are most affected?

Grease-resistant paper, coated board, laminated flexible packaging, adhesives, barrier layers and certain plastics are considered higher risk.

Is there an official EU testing method for PFAS in packaging?

There is currently no single harmonised EU assessment methodology defined under PPWR. Companies are expected to apply structured, risk-based assessment approaches.

The Bottom Line

The most important fact about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in packaging right now:

From 12 August 2026, PFAS in food contact packaging will be prohibited in the EU.

Companies that build packaging transparency today will be ready.

Companies that wait may face compliance disruption.

Book a demo to see how Packa helps you gain full visibility across your packaging portfolio and stay ahead of evolving PFAS regulation.