As of August 12, 2026, every package placed on the EU market must have a Declaration of Conformity.

A Declaration of Conformity is a legally binding statement in which the manufacturer (or importer) confirms that a specific packaging item meets the requirements of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (EU 2025/40). The form of the declaration must follow the structure set out in the Regulation. A Declaration of Conformity applies to each type of packaging: a separate declaration is required for each format and material.

In the case of imported products, responsibility for the Declaration of Conformity lies with the importer. Before placing packaging (including packaged products) on the EU market, importers must ensure that the manufacturer has carried out the conformity assessment procedure and prepared the necessary technical documentation.

As of August 12, 2026, the following requirements apply: restrictions on chemical substances (the sum of the concentrations of lead, cadmium, mercury, and hexavalent chromium originating from substances present in the packaging or its components must not exceed 100 mg/kg), and a de facto ban on PFAS chemicals in food packaging. Test reports must be available.

In the event of inspections, the Declaration of Conformity must be presented together with the technical documentation (test reports). Penalties for a missing or incorrect Declaration of Conformity can be as severe as product recall.