WAM
11 Aug 2026, 13:46 GMT+10
BRUSSELS, 11th August, 2026 (WAM) -- The European Union will begin banning the use of PFAS chemicals in food packaging from Wednesday, 12th August, in one of the first steps towards implementing sweeping new EU packaging rules that will gradually reshape packaging and waste management across the bloc through 2040.
PFAS is a group of chemical substances (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), also known as the Forever Chemicals, because they persist in the environment and do not break down easily. They have been widely used in paper and cardboard food packaging to make the materials resistant to water and grease.
These substances have raised health and environmental concerns, with some PFAS compounds suspected of being linked to an increased risk of cancer and adverse effects on fertility.
The new regulation aims to reduce the growing volume of packaging waste in the EU, which currently stands at around 177.8 kilogrammes per inhabitant annually.
According to data from the European Union's statistical office, Eurostat, packaging waste increased through 2021 before declining over the following two years.
The new EU rules seek to reduce packaging waste by 15 percent by 2040.
The regulation includes a series of measures that will gradually come into effect over the coming years.
Get a daily dose of Milwaukee Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Milwaukee Sun.
More InformationSHANGHAI/BEIJING, China: Heavy rain and strong winds left behind by Typhoon Dolphin flooded large parts of eastern China, soaking coastal...
WASHINGTON D.C.: The U.S. Senate has taken a key procedural step toward advancing legislation that would create a federal regulatory...
DUBAI/WASHINGTON/CAIRO: Iran has said it is close to finalizing an agreement with Oman to set new shipping routes through the Strait...
BERLIN, Germany: A bus driver at a major German airport stopped a possible attack by knocking a drone carrying explosives out of the...
KATHMANDU, Nepal: Rescue teams in Nepal have found five bodies in a mountain area where five climbers went missing last year, officials...
SEOUL, South Korea: As a severe heat wave grips the Korean Peninsula, North Korean state media have highlighted a range of foods, including...
ATLANTA, Georgia: U.S. health authorities are looking into a Salmonella outbreak linked to jalapeño peppers imported from Mexico, which...
(Photo credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images) Jackson Merrill belted a two-run homer Monday night in the bottom of the seventh inning...
(Photo credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images) The New York Mets placed right-hander Devin Williams on the 15-day injured list Monday...
(Photo credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images) Though the trading deadline passed on Aug. 3, the San Diego Padres aren't done making...
(Photo credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images) Pete Alonso is feeling great after his first multiple-homer game with the Baltimore Orioles....
(Photo credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images) The Atlanta Braves will be looking for their 10th straight victory at home on Monday...
