Tuesday 07 April 2026 – 01:57 PM
Organize Export Council for Food Industries An expanded seminar to introduce the requirements of the new European Packaging Regulation (PPWR), and Fayrouz Galal, President of Global Arc, confirmed that the regulation no longer deals with packaging as a separate element, but rather as an integral part of the final product, which forces Egyptian companies to update their standards to ensure market access.
According to the Council, the date of August 12, 2026 represents a crucial date for implementing the regulation in a binding and unified manner across all European Union countries, as the symposium stressed that there are no grace periods for discharging old stock after this date, as any product that does not meet the specifications will be prevented from entering European borders immediately, which requires quick action from exporters.
Golden opportunities for Egyptian exporters
The current geopolitical developments in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz open a wide door for Egyptian exports as a faster and less expensive alternative to the European market. Egypt can exploit its geographical proximity to provide shorter delivery times, provided that the technical and legal readiness of the packaging materials is available, which gives Egyptian products a major competitive advantage over Far Eastern competitors.
The new standards focus on the full life cycle of packaging, including the chemicals, inks and internal coatings used. Jalal explained that the regulation aims to gradually eliminate “forever chemicals” (PFAS) and heavy metals, while setting strict limits on the concentration of these substances in packaging components to ensure consumer safety and protect the environment.
The regulation adopts the principle of design for recycling, as the European Union requires that packages be recyclable at high rates of up to 95% by 2030. It is preferable to move towards single-material packages and stay away from multiple different layers, with the packages having to contain specific percentages of recycled plastic materials such as “rPET”.
The new requirements included reducing the empty space inside the containers by no more than 50%, to reduce waste of packaging materials. The regulation also moves towards unifying label data and relying on digital solutions such as QR Code, which requires Egyptian companies to review their technical designs to be compatible with these modern systems before the deadline.
Securing the Egyptian presence in European markets
Compliance with the “PPWR” regulation requires the preparation of an integrated technical file that includes a “Mandatory Declaration of Conformity” as a passport for the packaging within Europe. Companies must retain compliance data and approved laboratory tests for a period of up to 10 years, to ensure readiness for any audits or reviews by the competent European authorities at any time.
The exporters’ roadmap begins with a review of their current packaging material portfolio and direct communication with suppliers to request compatible materials. Fayrouz Galal stressed that the remaining four months before the decisive date require intensive work and a precise understanding of the technical details, noting that starting early is the only way to secure a competitive position and continue the flow of Egyptian exports.
