What Does the PPWR Mean for Packaging Buyers?

The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), Regulation (EU) 2025/40, establishes requirements covering packaging sustainability, chemical substances, recyclability, waste prevention, and packaging design.

For packaging manufacturers and buyers, this means that sustainability claims alone are not enough. Material composition and chemical compliance are also becoming important parts of packaging evaluation.

For example, Article 6 of the regulation specifies that the combined concentration of lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium resulting from substances present in packaging or packaging components must not exceed 100 mg/kg.

The regulation also introduces specific restrictions for PFAS in food-contact packaging.

1. Total Heavy Metal Content — PASS

Our Biodegradable & Compostable Bags have passed the Total Heavy Metal Content test.

The PPWR establishes a combined limit for four heavy metals:

• Lead (Pb)
• Cadmium (Cd)
• Mercury (Hg)
• Hexavalent Chromium (Cr VI)

The combined concentration must not exceed 100 mg/kg in packaging or packaging components.

Passing this test provides buyers with additional evidence that the tested bag material meets the relevant heavy-metal requirement specified in the PPWR.

This is particularly relevant for customers sourcing compostable bags for applications such as:

• Fresh produce packaging
• Food storage bags
• Compostable zipper bags
• Food service packaging
• Retail packaging
• Organic and sustainability-focused product lines

2. PFAS Testing — PASS

Our Biodegradable & Compostable Bags have also passed the PFAS-related testing requirement specified by our client under Regulation (EU) 2025/40.

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a large group of fluorinated substances that have been used in various applications because of their resistance to water, oil, grease and heat.

The PPWR introduces specific restrictions for PFAS in food-contact packaging.

From 12 August 2026, food-contact packaging cannot be placed on the EU market when PFAS concentrations reach or exceed the applicable limits specified in Article 5.

• 25 ppb for any PFAS measured by targeted PFAS analysis, excluding polymeric PFAS from quantification;
• 250 ppb for the sum of targeted PFAS, where applicable after prior degradation of precursors;
• 50 ppm for PFAS including polymeric PFAS, with additional documentation requirements where total fluorine exceeds 50 mg/kg.

Our test result confirms that the tested Biodegradable & Compostable Bag sample passed the specified PFAS testing requirement.

Why These Tests Matter for Compostable Packaging

Compostability is only one part of packaging compliance.

A bag may be designed for composting, but buyers also need to consider:

The EU's PPWR recognizes that packaging entering biological treatment should not introduce contaminants into the resulting compost. It also distinguishes industrial composting from home composting, meaning that compliance with an industrial composting standard does not automatically mean that a product is suitable for home composting.

This is why Torise evaluates compostable packaging from multiple technical perspectives rather than relying on a single compostability claim.

More Than a Compostable Claim

For B2B packaging buyers, documentation is often just as important as the product itself.

Supporting Documentation for Buyers

For customers developing packaging for the European market, test reports and compliance documentation can be important during supplier qualification, product development and internal compliance review.

Therefore, we recommend evaluating the final commercial product and its documentation rather than treating a single test result as a blanket certification for every bag configuration.

Building More Compliance-Ready Compostable Packaging

As EU packaging regulations continue to develop, packaging buyers are increasingly looking beyond terms such as “biodegradable” or “compostable.”

They need packaging suppliers that can provide:

• Verified materials
• Relevant testing
• Clear technical documentation
• Consistent production
• Customization for specific applications

The latest Heavy Metal Content and PFAS test results add another layer of technical evidence to Torise's Biodegradable & Compostable Bag solutions.

For brands, distributors, retailers and other B2B buyers looking for compostable packaging for the European market, we can discuss your application, specifications and compliance requirements.