Approximately 160 European civil society organizations have sent a letter to the European Commission warning about strong pressures exerted by some food, beverage, and packaging industries. The objective of these pressures, according to the signatory entities, is to postpone and revise the application of the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which is scheduled to take effect on August 12.
This regulation includes significant restrictions, such as limiting PFAS substances (known as 'forever chemicals') in food packaging. Among the signatories are environmental and consumer organizations, as well as companies committed to reuse, who are seeking to counter demands from major multinationals like Coca-Cola, McDonald's, and Heineken.
The groups consider the regulation a "crucial measure to protect EU citizens and the environment" and demand its implementation as approved. They warn that any delay "would pose a serious risk to the health of European consumers and jeopardize the safe circularity of secondary materials."
The reaction from civil society follows a letter sent on April 29 by 138 companies from the affected sectors, requesting a delay or modification of key provisions of the regulation. According to the social organizations, this could lead to the postponement of PFAS restrictions and the relaxation of other obligations, such as limiting single-use plastics and measures for waste prevention.
Carlos de Prada, head of Hogar sin Tóxicos, one of the signatory entities, expressed concern over attempts to delay a measure so necessary for reducing population exposure to contaminants like PFAS, which enter the body through food packaging.
NGOs denounce that some companies promoting their ecological commitment are now seeking to weaken packaging reduction rules and limit reuse. They believe this not only poses a risk to public health but also compromises the goals of a circular economy, for which the regulation is essential.
Furthermore, they point out the irregularity of not complying with an already approved regulation following a "complete and rigorous co-decision process." They warn that reconsidering already reached political commitments would set a "dangerous precedent," undermining confidence in EU law and creating regulatory instability.
