EU PFAS in food packaging · Reg (EU) 2025/40
Does your food packaging meet the EU PFAS limits?
From 12 August 2026 the PPWR bans food-contact packaging placed on the EU market with PFAS at or above three limit values. Enter your lab results and see, per limit, whether your packaging passes — with every threshold traced to the Regulation.
The rule, in one line
Under Regulation (EU) 2025/40 (PPWR), Article 5(5), from 12 August 2026 food-contact packaging may not be placed on the EU market if it contains PFAS at or above 25 µg/kg for any individual PFAS (targeted analysis, polymeric excluded), 250 µg/kg for the sum of PFAS (targeted analysis), or 50 mg/kg for total PFAS including polymeric PFAS. Total fluorine under 50 mg/kg is treated as compliant without further testing. Packaging lawfully placed on the market before that date does not have to be withdrawn.
Official sources: Regulation (EU) 2025/40 · European Commission — PPWR · EUR-Lex summary
PPWR Art 5(5) verdict
PASS
Every value you entered is below the three PPWR PFAS limits for food-contact packaging. Keep your test report on file as evidence.
| PFAS metric | Your value | Limit | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any PFAS (targeted analysis, polymeric excluded)Regulation (EU) 2025/40, Art 5(5) (25 µg/kg) | 10 µg/kg (ppb) | 25 µg/kg (ppb) | OK |
| Sum of targeted PFAS after precursor degradation (TOP)Regulation (EU) 2025/40, Art 5(5) (250 µg/kg) | 100 µg/kg (ppb) | 250 µg/kg (ppb) | OK |
| PFAS including polymeric PFASRegulation (EU) 2025/40, Art 5(5) (50 mg/kg) | 20 mg/kg (ppm) | 50 mg/kg (ppm) | OK |
A value equal to or above a limit is a breach — the Regulation reads 'equal to or above'. Total fluorine below 50 mg/kg is an accepted screening route to compliance.
Per-SKU export
PFAS compliance summary (PDF) · €29
A print-ready pack for one SKU: your three values against each PPWR limit, the pass/fail per limit, the screening note, and the source citations — built from the values above for your audit file.
This is guidance, not legal advice. The export restates the PPWR limits for your inputs; it does not replace accredited PFAS testing.
What this tool is — and isn't
This checker compares the PFAS lab values you enter against the EU PPWR limits for food-contact packaging (Regulation (EU) 2025/40, Art 5(5)). It is an estimate and orientation, not legal advice, and it does not perform or replace accredited PFAS testing or a harmonised EU test method. Verify against the linked official sources.
How the determination works
1. Is it food-contact packaging?
Article 5(5) restricts PFAS in food-contact packaging — packaging intended to be brought into contact with food. If your packaging is not food-contact, these specific PFAS limits do not apply.
2. Three limits, three measurements
Your packaging must stay below all three: 25 µg/kg for any individual PFAS (targeted analysis), 250 µg/kg for the sum of PFAS (targeted analysis), and 50 mg/kg for total PFAS including polymeric PFAS. A value at or above any limit is a breach.
3. Screening + date
Total fluorine below 50 mg/kg is an accepted screening route to compliance without further testing. The restriction applies from 12 August 2026; packaging lawfully placed on the market before that date need not be withdrawn.
Frequently asked questions
- When does the PFAS restriction apply?
- From 12 August 2026, food-contact packaging may not be placed on the EU market if it contains PFAS at or above the three limit values in Article 5(5) of Regulation (EU) 2025/40.
- What are the three limits?
- 25 µg/kg for any individual PFAS by targeted analysis (polymeric excluded), 250 µg/kg for the sum of PFAS by targeted analysis, and 50 mg/kg for total PFAS including polymeric PFAS.
- What is the total-fluorine screening threshold?
- Total fluorine is a screening method. Below 50 mg/kg, packaging is treated as compliant without further testing. At or above, you must demonstrate what share of the fluorine comes from PFAS versus non-PFAS substances.
- Do I have to withdraw stock already on the market?
- No. Food-contact packaging lawfully placed on the EU market before 12 August 2026 does not have to be withdrawn. The determining factor is the placement date, not the manufacture date.
- Where do the values I enter come from?
- From your own accredited-lab PFAS test report. The tool supplies the legal limits; you supply the measured values. It computes everything in your browser and sends nothing to a server.
- Is this legal advice?
- No. This tool restates the PPWR PFAS limits for the values you enter. It is orientation, not legal advice, and it does not replace accredited PFAS testing. Verify against the linked official sources.