A Guide to the New PFAS Limits and Compliance Strategies

As the August 2026 compliance deadline approaches, PFAS is becoming more than a sustainability concern for the packaging industry. New requirements under the European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) are pushing brands, converters, and packaging manufacturers to assess materials, strengthen supplier oversight, and prepare documentation that can withstand regulatory scrutiny.

For businesses that rely on food-contact packaging, compliance is no longer simply about making PFAS-free claims. It is increasingly about demonstrating that packaging materials meet specific regulatory thresholds and can be supported by robust evidence throughout the supply chain.

What Is Changing in PFAS Limits Under 2026 Regulations

Beginning 12 August 2026, food-contact packaging placed on the EU market must comply with new PFAS concentration limits under the PPWR. The regulation establishes three thresholds:

25 ppb for any individual PFAS (excluding polymeric PFAS)
250 ppb for the sum of targeted PFAS (excluding polymeric PFAS)
50 ppm for total PFAS, including polymeric PFAS

The new requirements shift the conversation from broad PFAS-free declarations to measurable compliance. As a result, businesses may need to provide supporting evidence such as supplier declarations, testing data, and material documentation to demonstrate conformity.

For companies using grease-resistant papers, takeaway packaging, moulded fibre products, and other food-contact formats, the regulation may require a closer review of both packaging materials and supply chain practices.

How to Meet the New PFAS Limits

Assess Your Packaging Portfolio

The first step is identifying where PFAS-related risks may exist within your packaging portfolio. Businesses should review packaging formats, material specifications, coatings, additives, and supplier information to determine which products may be affected by the new requirements.

A risk-based assessment can help prioritize high-exposure applications and identify areas that may require reformulation or replacement.

Implement Testing and Documentation

As regulatory expectations evolve, documentation becomes just as important as material selection. Companies should establish processes for collecting supplier declarations, maintaining material inventories, and obtaining testing data where appropriate.

Building a structured evidence file for each packaging family can help support compliance while reducing the risk of disruptions if suppliers or material specifications change.

Redesign for PFAS Compliance

In some cases, meeting the new requirements may involve transitioning to alternative barrier technologies or redesigning packaging structures. However, compliance should not be viewed as a simple material substitution exercise.

Changes to coatings or packaging components can affect grease resistance, heat performance, machinability, recyclability, and overall packaging functionality. Early qualification and testing can help businesses avoid costly redesigns closer to the compliance deadline.

Preparing for Compliance with Foopak Paper and Paperboard Solutions

As brands and converters prepare for evolving PFAS requirements, many are exploring paperboard solutions designed to support both compliance and packaging performance.

Foopak offers PFAS-free paper and paperboard solutions for food-contact applications, helping businesses address changing regulatory expectations while maintaining the functionality required for food packaging. By combining responsible material innovation with a focus on performance and safety, Foopak supports companies seeking a smoother transition toward compliant packaging solutions.Learn more about Foopak’s PFAS-free paperboard portfolio and discover how your business can prepare for the future of food packaging compliance.