- Packaging can block exports to Europe
- Global Food Market
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The product production is also finished, and the export labels have been attached.
We thought only shipping was left, but the packaging containing the food fails to meet Europe’s new standards, halting the schedule.
Starting August 12, 2026, the European Union’s new packaging and packaging waste regulation will come into effect.
If, until now, you have prepared for export focusing on food raw materials and hygiene standards,
Now you need to check the cup, pouch, lid, and even the coating material together.
Packaging is the final process of containing the product, but,
In exports to Europe, it may be the first issue to determine whether it will pass.
August 12 Doesn’t Mean Every Requirement Takes Effect at Once
The new regulation was introduced to reduce packaging waste and make packaging easier to recycle and reuse.
Its scope is broad, covering everything from containers that directly hold food to boxes used for transportation.
However, the start dates for specific requirements—such as recycling labels, the use of recycled materials, and packaging reduction—vary depending on the requirement.
August 12, 2026, is less a date when every requirement takes effect simultaneously and more of a starting point for the regulation to become legally applicable.
So rather than interpreting it as “all packaging must be changed immediately starting in August,”
companies need to check when each requirement relevant to their products actually takes effect.
The First Thing to Check Is Packaging That Comes Into Contact With Food
For the food industry, one of the first things to check is the PFAS restriction on food-contact packaging.
It applies to certain fluorinated substances that have been used to prevent oil or water from penetrating packaging.
These materials have mainly been discussed in packaging such as paper containers and coated wrappers that need to be resistant to grease.
(*PFAS: A group of fluorinated chemicals that have been widely used across various industries because of their resistance to water and oil.)
According to guidance from the European Commission,
food-contact packaging placed on the European market after August 12, 2026,
must meet the regulation’s PFAS requirements.
Even if the stock was produced before that date,
companies still need to determine whether the rules apply if the products are being placed on the European market for the first time after the date.
The regulation also does not include a separate sell-through period that would allow existing stock to remain on the market for a certain period of time.
Simply Trusting a Packaging Supplier’s “No Problem” Isn’t Enough
Finished-product brands rarely manufacture everything from cups and pouches to coated paper themselves.
The container, lid, sealing film, and adhesives may all be supplied by different companies.
And it can be difficult to determine which coatings and additives were used simply by looking at the finished packaging.
So companies should not stop at asking suppliers, “Is this packaging suitable for export to Europe?”
They need to organize the material composition of each product, whether it comes into contact with food, test results,
compliance documentation, and the production dates to which those documents apply.
Even if the container looks identical, companies may need to obtain updated documentation if the supplier or coating method has changed.
Even when export operations are handled by an agency,
it is safer for the manufacturer and brand to maintain their own packaging documentation.
If an issue arises, distributors or buyers may request supporting documentation for each individual product.
Packaging That Looks Eco-Friendly Isn’t Necessarily Packaging That Meets the Requirements
Using brown paper, plant illustrations, or the word “eco” does not automatically mean that packaging complies with the new rules.
Paper containers can still have an inner coating to prevent the contents from leaking.
And when multiple materials are firmly bonded together, they may be difficult to separate during the recycling process.
Conversely, even plastic packaging can have an advantage from a recyclability perspective if it has a simple material composition and fits within existing collection systems.
The new rules focus not on the look and feel of the packaging, but on its actual structure, materials, and recyclability.
That is why reviewing materials only after the package design has been finalized can be risky.
Changing packaging materials may require companies to reassess not only color reproduction and printing methods, but also shelf life and storage testing.
That is why materials and production teams need to be involved from the packaging design stage.
Before Exporting to Europe, Check These Four Things First
First, make a complete list of all packaging components that come into direct contact with food.
This should include not only the main container, but also lids, sealing films, inner coatings, moisture-absorbing sheets, and adhesives.
Second, request documentation from suppliers confirming compliance with European requirements.
Simply describing something as “food-grade packaging” is not enough to determine whether it meets the new rules.
Companies should obtain the material specifications, test documentation, and applicable production dates for each product.
Third, distinguish between the production date and the date the product is placed on the European market.
Even if the packaging was produced before August 12,
companies need to check again whether the rules apply if the product is being placed on the European market for the first time afterward.
Fourth, review packaging size and empty space with a long-term perspective.
The new regulation is not limited to PFAS restrictions.
It is designed to be strengthened in stages, with a broader focus on reducing excessive packaging and expanding recyclable and reusable packaging structures.
This change is not just an issue for brands based in Europe.
Food products manufactured in Korea are subject to the same requirements once they are sold in the European market.
Ultimately, food companies preparing to export to Europe need to manage packaging not simply as a design element, but as part of their export documentation.
To avoid a situation where the food itself meets all the requirements but shipment is halted because of the packaging,
companies need to start reviewing packaging materials and the supply chain
not after the finished product is ready, but from the product planning stage.
🧡 Three-Line Summary
1. The European Union’s new packaging regulation applies from August 12, 2026, but the implementation dates for specific requirements vary depending on the provision.
2. For food-contact packaging, companies should prioritize checking PFAS requirements, material composition, test documentation, and applicable production dates.
3. Companies exporting to Europe should manage packaging not simply as a design element, but as part of the product specifications and supporting documentation required for export.
📌 Sources
Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation
Packaging Waste
Facts About the New EU Rules on Packaging and Packaging Waste
Commission Guidance to Support Implementation of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation
Packaging and Packaging Waste from 2026
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