Key regulations and rules that food packaging in the European Union must comply with in 2025

Food packaging is much more than a simple wrapper. In the European Union (EU), it is subject to a complex network of standards and regulations designed to protect consumer health, ensure food safety, and promote environmental sustainability. In 2025, these regulations continue to evolve, incorporating new requirements regarding materials, labelling, and sustainability.

In this article, we will analyse the most important regulations that food packaging must comply with in the EU, with practical examples and links to official sources so that you can consult them in detail. In addition, we will delve into the key changes and new developments that have come into force or are expected for 2025.

Most relevant changes and new developments in food packaging for 2025

Before going into the details of each regulation, it is essential to understand the new developments and trends that mark the current and future landscape of food packaging in Europe:

1. Reinforced focus on sustainability and circular economy

The Directive (EU) 2019/904 on single-use plastics (SUP) is the spearhead in the transformation towards more sustainable packaging. By 2025, the progressive reduction and ban of disposable plastics such as cutlery, straws, and cups is required. Packaging must be recyclable, reusable or biodegradable.

This drives manufacturers to redesign packaging and opt for alternative materials that meet these new environmental requirements.

2. Update and restriction of chemical substances in plastics

Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 has tightened the lists of authorised substances, excluding compounds that pose health risks, such as certain phthalates or plasticisers. In addition, maximum limits for substance migration have been lowered, seeking to minimise any toxic impact on the consumer.

3. Control over emerging contaminants

Monitoring of substances with possible endocrine or toxic effects, such as bisphenol A (BPA) and its alternatives, is being increased. In 2025, food packaging must demonstrate its safety against these substances, with rigorous evaluations before authorisation.

4. Reinforcement in traceability and documentation

With the entry into force of Regulation (EU) 2023/2006, manufacturing companies must ensure strict and documented traceability in all packaging manufacturing processes. This guarantees quality and safety, facilitating audits and official controls.

Implement robust quality management systems to document every step of your packaging manufacturing process, from raw materials to final product.

5. Regulation for active and intelligent packaging

Packaging that releases preservatives, absorbs oxygen, or indicates food freshness is subject to more specific regulation. An exhaustive evaluation is required to ensure that these technologies do not pose additional health risks.

6. Environmental labelling and consumer transparency

Labelling must clearly inform about the recyclability and proper management of the packaging, fostering responsible consumer behaviour and supporting European recycling targets.

7. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

Manufacturers and distributors assume greater responsibility for waste management, contributing financially to collection and recycling systems, and promoting more responsible packaging from the design stage.

1. Regulation (EU) No 1935/2004: Safety of materials in contact with food

This is the general regulatory framework that establishes that materials and articles intended to come into contact with food must be safe for human health and not alter the organoleptic properties of the food.

Main requirements:

• Good Manufacturing Practices Materials must be manufactured according to good manufacturing practices.
• No Harmful Transfer They must not transfer substances to food in quantities that could pose a risk to health or cause unacceptable changes in the food.

Practical example:
A plastic yoghurt container must be made of polymers that do not release toxic chemical additives during the product's shelf life.

Official consultation:
Regulation (EU) No 1935/2004

2. Regulation (EU) No 10/2011: Plastic materials in contact with food

This specific regulation establishes the rules for plastics used in food packaging, detailing authorised substances, maximum permitted migration, and control methods.

Highlights for 2025:

• Substance Updates Lists of authorised substances are updated periodically, excluding those that pose risks (e.g., certain phthalates).
• Migration Limits Strict limits are established for the overall and specific migration of substances.
• Documentation Required Technical documentation guaranteeing conformity is required.

Example:
A plastic bread bag must comply with the established migration limits to prevent unwanted compounds from reaching the food.

Official consultation:
Regulation (EU) No 10/2011

3. Regulation (EU) 2023/2006: Good manufacturing practices for materials in contact with food

This regulation complements 1935/2004 and 10/2011, establishing rules on how packaging materials should be manufactured, controlled, and documented.

Relevance in 2025:
Companies must implement quality management systems that ensure traceability and contamination prevention throughout the production process.

Example:
A company that produces cardboard food packaging must document each batch, from raw material to final product, and guarantee microbiological and chemical controls.

Official consultation:
Regulation (EU) 2023/2006

Ensuring meticulous documentation and quality control is paramount in food packaging manufacturing.

4. Regulation (EU) 1169/2011: Food information to consumers

Although focused on labelling, it includes requirements for packaging that directly relate to consumer safety and transparency.

Key points:

• Ingredients & Allergens Clear information on ingredients and allergens.
• Dates Expiration date or best-before date.
• Storage & Use Instructions for storage and use.

Example:
A snack package must clearly state “Contains nuts” to avoid risks for people with allergies.

Official consultation:
Regulation (EU) 1169/2011

Failure to clearly label allergens on packaging can lead to serious health risks for consumers and legal penalties for manufacturers.

5. Directive (EU) 2019/904: Reduction of the environmental impact of single-use plastics (SUP)

This directive regulates the use of disposable plastics and promotes the circular economy, directly affecting food packaging.

Impact in 2025:

• Plastic Bans Progressive ban of certain plastic products (cutlery, straws, plates).
• Reusable Incentives Incentives for reusable or biodegradable packaging.
• Recycling Marking Mandatory marking of packaging with recycling information.

Example:
A manufacturer must avoid using non-recyclable rigid plastic packaging for takeaway food and opt for compostable or reusable alternatives.

Official consultation:
Directive (EU) 2019/904

6. Rules on environmental labelling and recyclability

Although not a single regulation, several European regulations and standards require packaging to include clear information on how to recycle it, encouraging proper separation and recycling.

Example:
The recycling symbol and resin code (e.g., “PET 1”) must be visible on plastic bottles.

General consultation:
European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy

7. Materials in contact with food and emerging contaminants

In 2025, the EU is actively reviewing regulation to include emerging substances, such as endocrine disruptors, that could be present in some plastic materials.

Example:
Restrictions are being studied for substances such as bisphenol A (BPA) in rigid materials and coatings.

8. Microbiological safety and control in fresh food packaging

There is no single regulation for this, but the previous regulations require that packaging does not allow bacterial proliferation or cross-contamination.

Example:
Fresh meat packaging must be designed to prevent condensation and facilitate airtight sealing.

9. Innovations in active and intelligent packaging and their regulation

Active packaging (which releases substances that preserve food) and intelligent packaging (which detects changes in the product) are regulated under Regulation (EU) 1935/2004, but with additional authorisation and risk assessment requirements.

Example:
Labels that change colour if the food is spoiled must comply with rigorous tests and be approved.

10. Obligations of manufacturers and distributors

In 2025, extended producer responsibility (EPR) obliges manufacturers and distributors to take charge of the recycling and waste management of their packaging.

Example:
A company that introduces plastic packaging to the market must contribute financially to collection and recycling systems.

Food packaging in the European Union is subject to a series of complex regulations that guarantee consumer safety and promote environmental sustainability. To comply with current legislation in 2025, companies must stay up to date with specific regulations on materials, manufacturing, labelling and waste management, incorporating key changes in sustainability, chemical control and producer responsibility.

Detailed knowledge of these regulations not only avoids legal sanctions, but also contributes to improving consumer confidence and moving towards a more responsible circular economy model.