The Spanish Federation of Food and Beverage Industries (FIAB) has reiterated that it supports the objectives of the European Regulation on Packaging and Packaging Waste (PPWR), which came into force in 2025 and will gradually roll out its obligations from next August 12 until 2040, focusing on the design, manufacturing, marketing, recyclability, reuse, and management of packaging.
In a statement, the employers' association has insisted that the food sector is firmly involved in the transition towards a circular economy and in reducing the environmental impact of packaging, which is why it is working to ensure that the Regulation is implemented "effectively".
"Adapting to the PPWR represents a significant investment effort for the industry. Companies are allocating resources to modernize production processes, develop lighter and more efficient packaging, and train teams," says the Director of Competitiveness and Sustainability of the Federation, Paloma Sánchez Pello.
However, Sánchez Pello has emphasized that "some of the measures imposed are technically difficult to carry out," which is why she demands that "the deadlines established should incorporate transitional adaptation periods."
Among the most relevant changes, FIAB highlights the implementation in 2029 of the Deposit, Return and Refund System (SDDR) for plastic beverage bottles and metal cans –except when the conditions to qualify for the exceptions provided in the regulation are met–, which must coexist with the current management system.
The Federation has stressed that "the new system entails very high investments, changes in business models, and will also require adaptation on the part of consumers."
This same week, some of the first significant obligations for the industry will begin to be applied, such as the limitation of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in packaging in contact with food, which will require a review of materials, coatings, inks, and adhesives used in numerous food applications.
Another requirement will be to have a Declaration of Conformity for each type of packaging, supported by the corresponding technical documentation that certifies compliance with the Regulation's requirements in aspects such as recyclability, recycled content, reuse, or labeling.
Furthermore, the PPWR unifies the obligations of extended producer responsibility (EPR), specifying who the responsible producer is in each member state and requiring the registration of operators in the markets where they market packaged products.
From the consumers' perspective, one of the most visible milestones in 2028 will be the launch of a harmonized packaging labeling system across the EU. This system will allow for the homogeneous identification of the composition of packaging and facilitate the correct separation of waste.
This labeling may integrate digital solutions, such as QR codes, to expand the available information, while in 2029 the Deposit, Return, and Refund Systems (SDDR) will be deployed and, the following year, a good part of the new obligations that will require a deep adaptation of the packaging currently on the market will be concentrated.