From PFAS to Chlorine-Free Bleaching: Europe's Safety Standards for Printed Packaging Paper Are Rising

With the full implementation of the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), the European packaging industry is facing new compliance requirements. For companies involved in printing, packaging, and paper production, packaging materials entering the EU market in the future must not only meet environmental and recyclability criteria but also prioritize raw material safety and chemical management.

Heavy metal restrictions are one of the key focuses of PPWR. The regulation stipulates that the total concentration of lead, cadmium, mercury, and hexavalent chromium in packaging and its components must not exceed 100 mg/kg. This means that when selecting printed Packaging Paper, businesses must look beyond factors such as grammage, color, stiffness, and print quality—they must also pay close attention to raw materials and relevant testing data to ensure products comply with European safety standards.

In addition to heavy metals, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are another critical area under the new rules. Starting August 12, 2026, food-contact packaging containing PFAS above specified limits will be restricted from being placed on the EU market. Individual PFAS limits are set at 25 ppb, the total PFAS limit at 250 ppb, and the limit including polymer-based PFAS at 50 ppm.

At the same time, paper manufacturing processes deserve attention. Technologies such as totally chlorine-free (TCF) and elemental chlorine-free (ECF) bleaching represent important directions for environmentally sustainable pulp production. It should be noted, however, that PPWR does not require all packaging paper to use chlorine-free bleaching; rather, in the context of continuously tightening environmental regulations, more sustainable pulping methods and raw material management are gaining increasing market importance.

Therefore, when dealing with PPWR, what customers truly need to focus on is not merely whether the paper is eco-friendly, but whether it is safe, meets PFAS restrictions, complies with relevant regulations, and whether suppliers can provide complete testing and compliance documentation.

The implementation of PPWR not only signifies a further increase in regulatory standards for the packaging industry but also drives the paper supply chain toward greater safety, environmental sustainability, and transparency.