Ensure your food contact and packaging materials meet EU regulations on chemicals. We help consumer goods companies assess PFAS and heavy metals in packaging materials against PPWR and other EU requirements to reduce compliance risks and protect market access in Europe.
Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste (PPWR) — replacing Directive 94/62/EC — entered into force on 11 February 2025 and applies from 12 August 2026, reshaping packaging compliance requirements across the European market.
This regulation includes provisions to promote packaging sustainability, recycling, and waste reduction, while increasing scrutiny of hazardous substances in packaging materials — particularly PFAS in food contact packaging and heavy metals.
Brands, retailers, and manufacturers are now facing growing pressure from regulators and customers to assess and demonstrate product safety and chemical compliance through reliable analytical data and supporting documentation. For many companies, the challenge lies in identifying substances of concern within complex packaging supply chains while managing testing costs, timelines, and technical uncertainty.
Our highly experienced laboratories help the consumer goods industry navigate evolving EU requirements by providing advanced PFAS and heavy metal testing services, along with expert technical support to assess packaging safety, comply with PPWR, and mitigate regulatory and reputational risks.
PFAS Testing Services for Food Contact Packaging
PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are widely associated with grease-resistant and coated food packaging materials and are increasingly targeted by European authorities due to their persistence and potential environmental and health impacts.
Under PPWR, food-contact packaging cannot be placed on the EU market if it contains PFAS which exceed specific limits:
- 25 ppb for individual non-polymeric PFAS;
- 250 ppb for the sum of non-polymeric PFAS including PFAS where applicable with prior degradation of precursors;
- and 50 ppm for PFAS (including polymeric PFAS).
With ongoing uncertainty regarding compliance criteria and the absence of harmonised testing protocols for such low detection limits, our laboratories have developed a robust solution. Our in-house analytical method enables us to achieve detection limits as low as 25 µg/kg, helping companies meet PPWR requirements.
By combining targeted and screening methodologies by combustion for total fluorine and Pyrolysis-GC/MS for total organic fluorine, we provide efficient, relevant, and cost-optimised PFAS assessment strategies adapted to packaging materials and compliance objectives.
We are able to provide PFAS testing services for food contact packaging materials in line with PPWR and European packaging requirements, including:
- Paper and cardboard packaging
- Molded fiber materials
- Takeaway packaging
- Fast-food wrappers and containers
- Flexible food packaging
- Coated and multilayer packaging materials
- And more
Test reports are typically included in the technical documentation supporting the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) required for packaging compliance under the PPWR.
In addition, the EU Regulation on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP) also applies to packaging, and these limits will also be considered as part of the testing program.
Heavy Metal Testing for Packaging materials
In addition to PFAS testing, we have the capability to offer heavy metal testing services for packaging materials within the framework of PPWR requirements. The combined concentration of Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg), and Hexavalent Chromium (Cr VI) must not exceed 100 mg/kg. While this limit existed under older directives, PPWR introduces more rigorous market surveillance.
Our testing scope covers all types of packaging materials including composite ones, as well as labels, inks, coatings, and adhesives.
Using advanced analytical techniques such as ICP-MS, ICP-OES, and XRF screening, we help companies verify compliance and identify potential risks associated with restricted substances in packaging components and finished packaging systems.
Additional Chemical Compliance Services for Packaging for the EU market
The regulatory landscape is becoming more complex, creating additional obligations for manufacturers, importers, and distributors. Beyond PFAS and heavy metals, packaging materials may also contain substances restricted under other EU regulations: the REACH Regulation and the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP) Regulation.
To support a comprehensive chemical compliance strategy for packaging, we also provide testing and screening services for additional substances of concern, including:
- SVHCs (Substances of Very High Concern)
- Phthalates
- Brominated flame retardants
- Chlorinated paraffins
- Bisphenols
- Residual solvents and other organic contaminants
Our experts help consumer goods companies identify potential regulatory risks, prioritise analytical needs, build efficient testing programs and strengthen packaging compliance documentation across evolving European chemical regulations.
Contact our team today to discuss your testing needs, compliance challenges, or request a quotation.
