South Korea to Brief Exporters on New EU Packaging Rules Taking Effect in August

The South Korean government is stepping up support for industry as the European Union prepares to enforce new packaging rules in August.

The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said Monday it will hold a joint government briefing Tuesday at the National Railroad Authority auditorium in Dong-gu, Daejeon, titled “Joint Government Briefing on Global Regulations in the Packaging Materials Sector.”

The session is designed to help domestic companies respond to the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, or PPWR, set to take effect in August, and the Food-Contact Plastic Packaging Safety Regulation, due to take effect in September.

The PPWR applies to all packaging used in the EU and sets broad sustainability requirements, including limits on hazardous substances, compliance with recyclability grading standards, mandatory use of recycled content and bans on excessive packaging.

Key provisions include restrictions on heavy metals and PFAS, a ban on placing products on the market with recyclability below 70%, and a requirement that plastic beverage bottles contain 30% recycled material.

The food-contact plastic packaging rule strengthens safety standards for plastic containers that touch food, tightens requirements to prevent contamination from impurities in recycled plastics and expands obligations to provide information to consumers.

The government said the rules could affect the production, distribution and consumption of virtually all physical goods, making early preparation necessary. It expects heavier compliance burdens for sectors with high exports to Europe, including food, cosmetics and household products.

Officials said ministries have so far tracked the regulations through bilateral consultations with the EU and held separate briefings, but decided a more systematic, comprehensive response was needed.
 
At the briefing, the ministry and the Korea Environment Corporation will explain the PPWR’s main requirements and practical compliance steps, including required documentation. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety will present response strategies tailored to the food and cosmetics sectors, including the food-contact plastic packaging rule.
 
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups will outline sector-specific measures and ministry support programs for the agriculture and food industry and for small and medium-sized businesses, respectively.
 
The government said it will continue operating an interagency working-level task force starting with this briefing.
 
“Stronger EU-led standards on the sustainability and safety of packaging materials will have a significant impact across our industries,” said Kim Go-eung, director general for resource circulation at the ministry. “The government will continue working with industry to prepare thoroughly in advance and enhance the sustainability of our products and export competitiveness.”