The European Environmental Bureau published a joint letter signed by more than 200 chief executive officers and industry representatives from the food, beverage, cosmetics, packaging, and retail sectors concerning implementation of the European Union Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). The signatories urged European Union institutions not to delay application of the regulation while highlighting ongoing concerns regarding regulatory clarity and implementation challenges. According to the letter, businesses support the circular economy objectives of the PPWR and have already invested substantially in adapting packaging systems and supply chains to comply with the new requirements. However, the industry groups stated that significant legal and technical uncertainties remain, particularly regarding implementation of Article 5 restrictions on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food-contact packaging materials. The organisations emphasised that no harmonised and legally binding testing methodology for PFAS compliance has yet been established across the European Union, creating risks of inconsistent enforcement by national authorities. Additional concerns raised in the letter included recyclability criteria, reuse obligations, restrictions on single-use plastic packaging, and requirements related to recycled content.
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