The PPWR represents the EU’s ambitious push toward a circular economy, aiming to reduce packaging waste and enhance recyclability. Expected to come into effect by mid-2026, the regulation imposes strict requirements on packaging design, material use and waste management.
For businesses in the bakery supply chain, the PPWR introduces a dual challenge: aligning packaging practices with sustainability goals while preserving the safety and integrity of food products.
The timeline for compliance is tight, with requirements such as the recyclability of all packaging by 2030 and the adoption of harmonised labelling systems beginning as early as 2026.
The road to compliance with the PPWR is challenging but navigable with the right approach
Fedima’s vision for sustainable packaging
The bakery sector sits at a crucial juncture in the supply chain. As a bridge between raw material suppliers and consumer-facing businesses, the industry has both an opportunity and a responsibility to lead the charge toward sustainable practices.
However, the challenges are significant. Bakery packaging serves critical functions, from protecting delicate products to extending shelf life. Replacing traditional materials with sustainable alternatives requires careful consideration of these functional needs, particularly for items where food safety risks, such as contamination or allergen exposure, are heightened. Sustainability can’t come at the expense of food safety. Imagine reusing packaging that could risk cross-contaminating allergens or compromising product quality – that’s not an option for any food business, let alone the bakery sector.
To help its members navigate these changes, Fedima, the Federation of European Manufacturers and Suppliers of Ingredients to the Bakery, Confectionery and Patisserie Industries, has released its Vision Paper: Towards Sustainable Packaging in the Bakery Industry.
“Fedima welcomes the recent developments and upcoming adoption of the Regulation as a crucial step toward building a more sustainable and innovative bakery and food industries and we particularly appreciate the decision to include our input on the safeguard of food safety in Articles 26 and 27 of the Regulation,” said a Fedima spokesperson.
“While we recognise the essential value of circularity in packaging, we emphasise that food safety and hygiene standards must remain a top priority. A balanced approach that considers B2B realities, food and consumer safety and infrastructure development is critical to achieving the regulation’s ambitious goals.”
If you’re a stakeholder in the bakery supply chain, this is the roadmap you need for navigating the PPWR.
Key articles in the PPWR and their implications
Article 5: Aligning regulations
Fedima emphasises the need for clarity in aligning the PPWR with existing food contact material regulations, such as REACH and the Plastics Regulation. Misalignment could lead to regulatory overlaps, adding unnecessary complexity for businesses.
Article 6: Recyclability standards
By 2030, all packaging must meet the EU’s Design for Recycling criteria, which will be finalised on 1 January 2028. Only packaging rated as recyclable in grates A, B or C will be allowed on the EU market.
Fedima backs this target but stresses the importance of a phased approach, allowing businesses adequate time to test new materials for compliance while ensuring product performance. The availability of food-grade recycled plastics, particularly PET, is a critical concern that policymakers must address to avoid market bottlenecks.
Article 11: Harmonised labelling
Uniform packaging labels across Member States are essential to reducing consumer confusion and supporting efficient recycling. Fedima advocates for an EU-wide system that avoids market fragmentation and fosters smoother cross-border trade.
Articles 26 and 27: Reuse and food safety
Reuse targets present unique challenges for the bakery industry, where some packaging types are not suited to multiple uses due to hygiene risks. Fedima stresses these targets must be implemented flexibly to prioritise food safety.
Articles 38 and 43: Waste prevention and collection
Member States face ambitious packaging waste reduction targets, alongside obligations to establish robust return and collection systems. These measures require significant investment in infrastructure, which Fedima views as a priority for achieving the regulation’s goals.
What this means for bakery businesses
The PPWR demands both strategic planning and operational adjustments:
Packaging suppliers must innovate to create materials that meet recyclability and reuse standards without compromising functionality.
Ingredient manufacturers, meanwhile, must collaborate with suppliers to ensure that their products are compatible with sustainable packaging.
The five-year transition period leading up to the 2030 recyclability target offers a window of opportunity for testing, adaptation and investment. However, the scarcity of food-grade recycled materials, particularly Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) plastics, poses a significant challenge. Policymakers and industry stakeholders must work together to expand the availability of these materials, including through emerging technologies like chemical recycling.
Recommendations for policymakers
Manufacturers, suppliers, policymakers and consumers all have a role to play in creating a more sustainable packaging ecosystem
Fedima’s Vision Paper outlines clear recommendations for policymakers to support a successful transition:
Immediate actions (2024-2025): Scale up waste management infrastructure and streamline reporting requirements.
Short-term goals (2026-2027): Adopt secondary legislation to establish recyclability criteria.
Medium-term goals (2028-2030): Finalise methodologies for assessing recyclability at scale and address bottlenecks in recycled material supply. Policymakers must also ensure food safety remains central to these efforts, especially as innovations in packaging materials and recycling technologies evolve.
According to Fedima, achieving the PPWR’s ambitious goals will require a concerted effort across the entire bakery supply chain. Manufacturers, suppliers, policymakers and consumers all have a role to play in creating a more sustainable packaging ecosystem.
Fedima is committed to leading this charge, providing guidance and advocating for balanced, practical policies. Through its Vision Paper and ongoing collaboration with stakeholders, it aims to ensure the bakery industry not only meets regulatory requirements but sets an example of sustainability for other sectors.
