Nuevas normas de la UE sobre el ciclo de vida de los envases: ¿Qué deben preparar las empresas pesqueras y acuícolas?

As of August 12, 2026, the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) begins to apply, establishing a common framework of requirements covering the entire packaging life cycle, from design and material selection to resource use, collection, reuse, and recycling.

However, the PPWR is being implemented in phases, with different requirements taking effect at different stages. Therefore, businesses are not required to immediately replace their entire existing packaging systems.

According to Seafish, the UK public body supporting the seafood industry, businesses should pay particular attention from the start to chemical controls in packaging, especially PFAS. These chemicals are commonly used to provide water- and grease-resistant properties but are difficult to break down. Other key requirements include conformity assessment, technical documentation, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

Importantly, from August 12, 2026, food-contact packaging containing PFAS at or above the specified limits will not be permitted to be placed on the EU market.

VASEP recommends that seafood businesses review not only conventional plastic packaging but the entire range of related materials, including barrier films, coated paper, pads, functional liners, and materials that come into direct contact with food.

According to the European Commission, the EU does not yet have a fully harmonized testing method for PFAS in food packaging. EC guidance issued in June 2026 allows businesses to conduct testing in stages. Total fluorine can be tested first; if the result exceeds the applicable threshold, further analysis is required to determine the presence of PFAS.

Another important point is that the PPWR does not establish a general transition period for using existing stocks of packaging containing PFAS that do not meet the new requirements. Accordingly, food-contact packaging placed on the EU market from August 12, 2026, must comply with the PFAS limits, regardless of whether the packaging was manufactured before or after the regulation took effect. By contrast, packaging that was already placed on the EU market before August 12, 2026, may continue to circulate.

As part of PPWR implementation, seafood businesses also need to clearly identify the entity considered the producer under the regulation for each type of packaging. At the same time, businesses should request suppliers to provide a Declaration of Conformity along with the necessary technical documentation.

For food-contact packaging, businesses need to maintain evidence demonstrating compliance with PFAS limits and other chemical requirements. This is particularly important because an exported seafood product may involve multiple layers of packaging, ranging from bags and films that directly contact the product to trays, cartons, outer boxes, insulation materials, and pallet wrapping film.

Switching to new packaging cannot be based solely on the principle of minimizing plastic use. Seafood packaging must still meet various preservation requirements, including resistance to freezing temperatures, prevention of moisture loss and oxidation, leak prevention, food safety, and maintaining shelf life. Therefore, when selecting alternative materials, businesses need to evaluate both recyclability and the material’s ability to protect the product.

Businesses should also prepare early for upcoming requirements. From February 12, 2028, packaging for retail products must be designed to reduce empty space to the minimum necessary for protecting the product. From around 2030, requirements concerning design for recycling and recycled content will become more stringent. For certain sensitive plastic packaging with PET as the main component in contact with the product, the minimum recycled plastic content will be 30%, while packaging using plastics other than PET will be subject to a 10% requirement, except where exemptions or specific provisions apply.

Recyclability requirements are also expected to have a significant impact on packaging commonly used in the seafood industry, such as vacuum bags, multilayer flexible plastic packaging, plastic trays, and insulated containers.

Rather than replacing packaging across the board, businesses can begin by creating a “packaging map” covering all products exported to the EU. This map should clearly identify the material structure, suppliers, food-contact layers, technical documentation, and compliance status regarding PFAS requirements.

According to VASEP, for Vietnamese seafood businesses, the PPWR is not simply a requirement to replace bags, trays, or packaging materials. It also represents a shift from treating packaging as a material input to managing it as part of the company’s compliance system and ability to maintain access to the EU market. Early preparation can help businesses better control transition costs and reduce risks as market requirements continue to become more stringent.

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