EU packaging rules take effect, Lankan exporters urged to prepare

Sri Lankan exporters have been advised to expedite preparations for the implementation of the European Union's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), effective August 12, 2026. The new regulation, which took effect in February 2025, mandates recycling, recycled plastic content, reusable packaging, standardized labeling, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and traceability for packaging entering the EU market, including Sri Lankan exports.

Industries such as tea, spices, seafood, processed food, beverages, and fast-moving consumer goods, as well as packaging manufacturers, are expected to be significantly impacted. Businesses must review packaging designs, materials, supplier traceability, certification, and sustainability reporting to meet the new regulations. Non-compliance could lead to higher costs, supply chain disruptions, reduced competitiveness, and potential loss of market access.

At a two-day seminar in Colombo on July 13-14, supported by the European Union, over 100 participants, including Sri Lankan businesses, packaging manufacturers, government institutions, and industry associations, discussed the PPWR's five key areas: recyclability, recycled content, reuse, harmonized labeling, and waste prevention.

Experts provided practical guidance on these areas, outlining operational changes required by exporters. Key regulatory deadlines include restrictions on PFAS in food-contact packaging starting August 2026 and requirements for tea bags and specific packaging formats to be industrially compostable from February 2028. The seminar emphasized the importance of early adaptation for businesses to maintain access to the European market and featured case studies and compliance-mapping exercises to help businesses identify priority measures for meeting the new standards.