Normativa sobre envases: próximos plazos de BPA, PFAS, PPWR y CLP

European regulations applicable to packaging are evolving rapidly. BPA, PFAS, PPWR, REACH and CLP: several regulations are introducing or preparing new requirements regarding packaging composition, labelling and recyclability.

For companies, the challenge is twofold: ensuring the compliance of products placed on the market while anticipating changes to materials, coatings and components early enough.

At Tournaire, we closely monitor these developments to help our customers identify packaging solutions suited to their product, industry and target market.

• The European restriction on BPA in food contact packaging has been in force since 20 July 2026.

• Maximum PFAS thresholds will apply to food contact packaging under the PPWR from 12 August 2026.

• A new milestone in the BPA regulatory timeline will take effect on 20 July 2027.

• The new CLP requirements for the labelling of hazardous chemical products should be anticipated.

• The PPWR will progressively strengthen packaging labelling and recyclability requirements.

• The proposed universal PFAS restriction under REACH remains under review and has not yet been adopted.

Tournaire already offers several solutions to help prepare for these developments: Nu Mat bottles, VSB coating with no intentionally added BPA, the standard Alu/PE closure and the OMNI PLUS® range.

Since 20 July 2026: BPA restriction

Scope: European Union – food contact packaging

Since 20 July 2026, the placing on the market of certain food contact packaging containing bisphenol A has been prohibited within the European Union, subject to the transitional periods and any exemptions provided for by the applicable legislation.

12 August 2026: Maximum PFAS thresholds under the PPWR

Scope: European Union – food contact packaging

From 12 August 2026, food packaging placed on the European market must comply with the maximum PFAS thresholds established by the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).

20 July 2027: New BPA regulatory milestone

Scope: European Union – food contact packaging

This date marks the end of certain transitional periods allowing the use of the packaging concerned, particularly in relation to filling operations.

1 January 2028: New CLP requirements to anticipate

Scope: European Union – labelling of hazardous chemical products

The revision of the CLP Regulation strengthens label presentation and readability requirements. In particular, it introduces rules regarding font size and spacing.

As the CLP regulatory timeline continues to evolve, the final applicable legal texts should be verified before making any changes to labels.

12 August 2028: Harmonised labelling under the PPWR

Scope: European Union – all sectors

The PPWR provides for the implementation of harmonised labelling to facilitate material identification and packaging sorting.

The technical requirements will be specified by the relevant European legislation and implementing acts.

1 January 2030: Strengthened recyclability requirements

Scope: European Union – all sectors

From 2030, packaging will have to meet the recyclability performance levels established under the PPWR in order to be placed on the European market.

The calculation methods and detailed classification criteria will be further specified through the European acts provided for under the Regulation.

Bisphenol A, commonly referred to by the acronym BPA, is used in the manufacture of certain resins and coatings.

Following a reassessment of health risks, the European Food Safety Authority significantly lowered the tolerable exposure threshold. This development led the European Union to strengthen restrictions on BPA in materials and articles intended to come into contact with food.

Which Packaging Is Affected by the BPA Restriction?

The regulation applies to packaging and materials intended to come into contact with food and placed on the market in the European Union.

To determine whether packaging is affected, it is essential to verify:

its food or non-food use;

its target market;

the possible presence of BPA in its coating;

the applicable transitional periods or exemptions;

the date the packaging is placed on the market and the date it is used.

What BPA-Free Solutions Does Tournaire Offer?

For food applications marketed in Europe, Tournaire offers two main options:

uncoated bottles with the Nu Mat finish;

VSB coating, formulated with no intentionally added bisphenol A.

The VSB coating is qualified as BPA-NI, meaning "Bisphenol A Not Intentionally Added."

Whenever a coating is used, compatibility testing is essential. The behaviour of the coating may vary depending on the nature of the packaged liquid, its concentration, temperature, storage conditions and contact time.

It is therefore recommended to begin testing well before the launch of a new production.

The VA coating containing BPA may still be suitable for certain non-food applications or for markets outside the European Union, subject to applicable local regulations.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of several thousand chemical substances.

They are used in many industrial applications because of their technical properties. However, their very high persistence in the environment explains the gradual strengthening of their regulatory framework.

What Is the Difference Between the PPWR and the REACH PFAS Proposal?

Two separate developments should be distinguished.

The first is a provision of the PPWR. It establishes maximum PFAS thresholds for food contact packaging placed on the market in the European Union.

The second is a restriction proposal being examined under the REACH Regulation. Its scope is much broader, as it could apply to all PFAS and all sectors of activity within the European Union and the European Economic Area.

The proposed universal restriction under REACH has not yet been adopted. Its final timeline and any possible exemptions therefore remain to be confirmed.

Do Tournaire Closures Contain PFAS?

The standard Tournaire Alu/PE closure does not contain PFAS. It is therefore the preferred solution for food applications subject to the new European requirements.

For certain specific technical applications, Tournaire also offers a closure fitted with a PTFE liner. As PTFE belongs to the PFAS family, this configuration requires particular attention for food products marketed within the European Union.

Before placing an order, it is therefore advisable to verify:

the application sector;

the country of marketing;

the type of closure and liner;

the compatibility requirements of the packaged product;

the applicable regulatory requirements.

The PPWR, or Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, aims to reduce packaging waste and promote a more circular economy.

It applies to all types of packaging and all sectors of activity within the European Union.

Its main objectives are to:

reduce packaging waste;

improve recyclability;

harmonise information and labelling;

facilitate packaging sorting;

encourage reuse and the efficient use of resources.

How Does Tournaire Anticipate the PPWR?

The OMNI PLUS® range has been designed to address performance, waste reduction and recyclability challenges.

It enables companies to prepare their future product launches with a solution designed to support the evolution of European requirements.

However, the choice of packaging should not be based on a single criterion. Recyclability must be assessed alongside technical performance, product protection requirements, logistical conditions and the specific constraints of each sector.

The CLP Regulation governs the classification, labelling and packaging of hazardous chemical substances and mixtures within the European Union.

Its objective is to enable users to clearly identify the hazards associated with products, including toxicity, flammability, corrosiveness and environmental risks.

As the amount of mandatory information increases, some labels may become difficult to read. The revision of the Regulation therefore introduces strengthened requirements regarding font size, spacing and the presentation of information.

Thanks to their shape and labelling surfaces, Tournaire bottles allow the application of large-format labels and facilitate the integration of the required regulatory information.

The compliance of packaging depends on several parameters. Before selecting or modifying a solution, it is recommended to analyse:

• The target market

Will the product be marketed in the European Union, the European Economic Area or another region?

• The application sector

Is the packaging intended for food, pharmaceutical, chemical, cosmetic, aerospace or industrial applications?

• The composition of the packaged product

The nature of the contents influences the choice of metal, coating, closure and liner.

• Packaging components

The bottle, internal coating, closure, liner and accessories must be assessed together.

• Compatibility testing

Any change in coating, material or component must be validated under actual conditions of use.

• Qualification timelines

In certain sectors, such as pharmaceuticals or aerospace, validating a new solution may take several months or even several years.

• Labelling and recyclability requirements

These should be considered from the packaging design stage.

Anticipating new regulations helps secure supply chains, avoid last-minute changes and reduce the risk of non-compliance.

This anticipation can also become a commercial advantage. A packaging solution prepared for future requirements helps reassure customers, facilitates market launches and strengthens product sustainability.

The Tournaire solutions already available—Nu Mat, VSB, the Alu/PE closure and the OMNI PLUS® range—provide concrete answers to several of these challenges.

Our teams can support you in:

• analysing your application;

• identifying the applicable regulations;

• selecting a suitable packaging solution;

• organising the necessary compatibility tests;

• anticipating future regulatory deadlines.

Would you like to verify the compliance of your packaging or prepare a change to a bottle, coating, closure or liner?

Contact the Tournaire teams to review your application and identify the packaging solution best suited to your needs.

The information presented in this article provides a general overview of the regulatory framework as of the date of publication. It does not replace a legal, regulatory or technical assessment tailored to each product, application and target market.