EU packaging rules target small produce packs and hospitality sachets from 2027

EU shifts policy from recycling toward prevention

The European Union’s new regulation on packaging and packaging waste takes effect on 12 August, changing requirements for manufacturers, distributors, retailers, hospitality operators and consumers across all member states. Approved in December 2024, the directly applicable framework gives priority to preventing waste and reusing packaging rather than relying primarily on recycling.

According to Infobae, the regulation requires every EU country to reduce packaging waste per person by 5% by 2030, 10% by 2035 and 15% by 2040, measured against 2018 levels. The binding targets will affect decisions on packaging design, materials, procurement and distribution across food manufacturing, retail and food service.

Restrictions cover produce packs and single portions

The rules prohibit single-use plastic packaging for unprocessed fresh fruit and vegetables weighing less than 1.5 kilograms. They also eliminate individual portions of sauces, sugar and cosmetic products in hospitality establishments. The changes directly affect formats such as condiment sachets and selected plastic-wrapped supermarket produce, requiring suppliers and operators to develop reusable, refillable or otherwise compliant alternatives.

The regulation introduces common labels intended to explain packaging materials and the appropriate disposal route more clearly. Labels must tell consumers how to recycle a package and whether it can be reused or refilled. Ecoembes says the harmonized framework places mandatory requirements for recyclability, recycled content, reuse, traceability and labeling into packaging design, manufacturing and commercialization throughout the EU.

Julio López, head of Ecoembes’ corporate affairs office, said companies face concrete changes intended to improve circularity and reduce waste. Ecoembes identified efficient compliance, preservation of competitiveness and the use of new opportunities for packaging innovation as the main adaptation challenges.

Restaurants must accept customers’ containers

From 2027, hospitality and restaurant businesses must allow customers to bring their own containers and cups for takeaway food and drinks. Operators may not impose surcharges or discriminatory conditions. Ecologistas en Acción said the obligation could expand deposit-based reusable cups at festivals, concerts, public celebrations and sporting events, replacing large numbers of disposable cups.

The regulation also gives greater importance to deposit, return and refund systems for beverage packaging. Member states must promote and facilitate their introduction to support the collection and reuse of beverage containers. Carlos Arribas of Ecologistas en Acción said recovering more than 90% of beverage containers is part of the route set by Europe toward a more circular packaging economy.

Spain faces implementation delays

Ecologistas en Acción warned that Spain has accumulated delays in establishing its deposit-return system, particularly because of administrative processing in the Community of Madrid. Entities seeking to operate the system nationally are registered there, making the region responsible for authorizing its launch. Although the EU regulation applies directly without formal transposition, Spain must amend conflicting national provisions, including its 2022 Royal Decree on packaging, to align prevention, reuse and container-return requirements with the European framework.