---
title: "PFAS and Restricted Substances"
canonical_url: "https://www.sorena.io/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/pfas-and-restricted-substances"
source_url: "https://www.sorena.io/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/pfas-and-restricted-substances"
author: "Sorena AI"
description: "A practical PPWR chemicals guide for Regulation (EU) 2025/40 Article 5: minimise substances of concern, comply with heavy metals limits."
published_at: "2026-02-21"
updated_at: "2026-02-21"
keywords:
  - "PPWR PFAS"
  - "PFAS food contact packaging PPWR"
  - "Article 5 PFAS thresholds 25 ppb 250 ppb 50 ppm"
  - "PPWR restricted substances"
  - "heavy metals 100 mg/kg packaging"
  - "substances of concern minimisation PPWR"
  - "PPWR technical documentation Annex VII"
  - "PPWR"
  - "PFAS"
  - "Food contact packaging"
  - "Substances of concern"
  - "Article 5"
---
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---

# PFAS and Restricted Substances

A practical PPWR chemicals guide for Regulation (EU) 2025/40 Article 5: minimise substances of concern, comply with heavy metals limits.

*Article 5* *Chemicals*

## EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) PFAS and Restricted Substances

Meet PFAS thresholds for food-contact packaging and control substances of concern.

Output: a supplier evidence strategy + testing plan + technical documentation pack you can defend.

PPWR addresses chemicals in packaging from two angles: (1) minimise substances of concern and protect recycling loops, and (2) set explicit limits for certain substances, including PFAS thresholds for food-contact packaging from the regulation's application date. This page focuses on operational compliance: inventory, supplier controls, testing, and documentation.

## What Article 5 requires (practical interpretation)

Article 5 requires packaging to be manufactured so the presence and concentration of substances of concern is minimised, including impacts on secondary raw materials and microplastics. It also sets specific limit values for certain substances and PFAS in food-contact packaging.

- Substances-of-concern minimisation: treat as a design + procurement control, not only a compliance statement.
- Heavy metals: the sum of lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium in packaging/components must not exceed 100 mg/kg.
- Food-contact PFAS: from 12 Aug 2026, food-contact packaging cannot be placed on the market if PFAS are at or above specified thresholds (unless prohibited under another EU act).

## PFAS thresholds for food-contact packaging (what to implement)

PPWR defines PFAS thresholds using targeted analysis and total PFAS/fluorine metrics. Translate these into a supplier + testing control.

Practical approach: treat PFAS as a critical characteristic for food-contact packaging and create an escalation path for exceptions and risk acceptance.

- Thresholds include: 25 ppb for any PFAS (targeted analysis), 250 ppb for the sum of PFAS (targeted analysis, precursors where applicable), and 50 ppm for PFAS (including polymeric PFAS).
- If total fluorine exceeds 50 mg/kg, upstream operators may need to provide proof of fluorine measured as PFAS or non-PFAS for technical documentation.
- Action: define which packaging units are 'food-contact' and ensure suppliers can provide compliant declarations and test results.

## Supplier evidence strategy (what to require and how to verify)

Most teams fail because they rely on generic declarations. Build tiered evidence requirements based on risk: food-contact, coatings, inks, and barrier materials should have higher evidence rigor.

- Supplier declarations: material composition, PFAS statement, heavy metals statement, and substances-of-concern disclosures.
- Testing strategy: define when you need lab tests (e.g., new supplier, material change, high-risk coatings).
- Change control: require notification for changes in formulation, coating, ink systems, or fluorinated processing aids.
- Corrective actions: what happens when a batch fails - quarantine, recall considerations, and customer/regulator comms.

## Technical documentation checklist (Annex VII mindset)

Article 5 requires compliance to be demonstrated in technical documentation. The most important design decision is how you structure documentation so it is retrievable per packaging unit.

- Unit-level dossier: BOM, suppliers, and material specifications.
- Compliance evidence: declarations, test reports, sampling plan, and results.
- Decision log: what thresholds apply, who approved, and what exceptions exist (with expiry dates).
- Traceability: batch/lot traceability for high-risk components and food-contact lines.
- Review cadence: align to supplier review cycles and any new EU restrictions or guidance.

*Recommended next step*

*Placement: near the end of the main content before related guides*

## Operationalize EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) PFAS and Restricted Substances across ESG workflows

ESG Compliance can take EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) PFAS and Restricted Substances from operationalizing this sustainability obligation across workflows and reporting to a reusable workflow inside Sorena. Teams working on EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) can keep owners, evidence, and next steps aligned without copying this guide into separate documents.

- [Open ESG Compliance for EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) PFAS and Restricted Substances](/solutions/esg-compliance.md): Start from EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) PFAS and Restricted Substances and manage cross team sustainability work, reporting, and evidence from one workflow.
- [Talk through EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)](/contact.md): Review your current process, evidence gaps, and next steps for EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) PFAS and Restricted Substances.

## Primary sources

- [Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste (EUR-Lex)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2025/40/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Primary source for Article 5 substances-of-concern minimisation, heavy metals limit, and PFAS thresholds for food-contact packaging.
- [European Commission - Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation overview](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/waste-and-recycling/packaging-waste/packaging-packaging-waste-regulation_en?ref=sorena.io) - Context on the policy rationale and major measures (including PFAS focus).
- [European Parliament - New EU rules to reduce, reuse and recycle packaging (press release)](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20240419IPR20589/new-eu-rules-to-reduce-reuse-and-recycle-packaging?ref=sorena.io) - Summary of key measures including PFAS restrictions and the intent behind the requirements.

## Related Topic Guides

- [Applicability Test | EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) | Regulation (EU) 2025/40 Scope + Roles](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/applicability-test.md): A practical PPWR applicability test for Regulation (EU) 2025/40: determine whether an item is packaging.
- [Labelling and Consumer Information | EU PPWR (Regulation (EU) 2025/40) | Article 12-13 Labels, QR/Digital Marking, DRS](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/labeling-and-consumer-info.md): A practical PPWR labelling guide for Regulation (EU) 2025/40: harmonised composition labels (Article 12), reusable packaging labels + QR/digital carriers.
- [PPWR Compliance Checklist | EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2025/40)](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/checklist.md): An audit-ready PPWR compliance checklist for Regulation (EU) 2025/40: scope your packaging portfolio, map Article 5-7 materials rules (PFAS, heavy metals.
- [PPWR Compliance Guide | EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2025/40) | Evidence, Conformity, Enforcement](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/compliance.md): A practical PPWR compliance guide for Regulation (EU) 2025/40: how to structure a defensible compliance program, what 'conformity' means for packaging.
- [PPWR Deadlines and Compliance Calendar | Regulation (EU) 2025/40 | 11 February 2025, 12 August 2026, 1 January 2030](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/deadlines-and-compliance-calendar.md): A practical PPWR deadlines and compliance calendar for Regulation (EU) 2025/40: entry into force on 11 February 2025, application from 12 August 2026.
- [PPWR FAQ | Regulation (EU) 2025/40 Packaging and Packaging Waste Questions (Dates, PFAS, Labelling, Reuse Targets)](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/faq.md): A source-grounded PPWR FAQ for Regulation (EU) 2025/40: when it applies (12 Aug 2026), what changes in 2030 (empty space 50%, Annex V restrictions.
- [PPWR Labelling Checklist | EU PPWR (Regulation (EU) 2025/40) | Article 12-13 Labels + QR/Digital Carriers](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/ppwr-labeling-checklist.md): An audit-ready PPWR labelling checklist: composition labels (Article 12), reusable packaging labels and QR/digital carriers, deposit-and-return marking.
- [PPWR Penalties and Fines | Regulation (EU) 2025/40 Article 68 Enforcement and Administrative Fines](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/penalties-and-fines.md): A practical PPWR enforcement and penalties guide for Regulation (EU) 2025/40: what Article 68 requires (Member State penalties rules by 12 Feb 2027.
- [PPWR Recyclability Assessment Template | Regulation (EU) 2025/40 | Article 6 Evidence Pack + Grade A/B/C](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/ppwr-recyclability-assessment-template.md): A copyable PPWR recyclability assessment template for Regulation (EU) 2025/40 Article 6: packaging unit inputs (BOM, components, predominant material).
- [PPWR Timeline and Deadlines | Regulation (EU) 2025/40 Roadmap | 2025 to 2040](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/timeline-and-deadlines.md): A phased PPWR roadmap for Regulation (EU) 2025/40: entry into force in February 2025, application from August 2026, key implementing acts in 2026 to 2028.
- [PPWR vs ESPR | Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (EU) 2025/40 vs Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (EU) 2024/1781](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/ppwr-vs-espr.md): A practical guide to PPWR vs ESPR: PPWR (Regulation (EU) 2025/40) sets packaging-specific rules (recyclability, labelling, PFAS, reuse/refill, empty space.
- [Recyclability and Design Requirements | EU PPWR (Regulation (EU) 2025/40) | Article 6 Recyclability Grades A/B/C + Design-for-Recycling](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/recyclability-and-design-requirements.md): A practical Article 6 guide for PPWR recyclability: how to assess design-for-recycling, treat integrated vs separate components.
- [Requirements | EU PPWR (Regulation (EU) 2025/40) | Recyclability (Article 6), Recycled Content (Article 7), Labelling (Article 12), PFAS (Article 5)](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/requirements.md): A practical PPWR requirements breakdown for Regulation (EU) 2025/40: Article 5 substance and PFAS limits.
- [Reuse and Refill Targets | EU PPWR (Regulation (EU) 2025/40) | Article 28-33 Refill Rules, Article 29 Reuse Targets (40% 2030, 70% 2040)](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/reuse-refill-targets.md): A practical PPWR reuse and refill guide for Regulation (EU) 2025/40: Article 28 refill rules, Article 29 reuse targets for transport packaging.
- [Scope and Packaging Definitions | EU PPWR (Regulation (EU) 2025/40) | Sales vs Grouped vs Transport vs E-commerce](/artifacts/eu/packaging-waste-regulation/scope-and-packaging-definitions.md): A practical PPWR scope and definitions guide: what counts as packaging, how to classify sales/grouped/transport/e-commerce packaging, take-away packaging.


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