The European Union's ban on the use of PFAS chemicals in food packaging came into effect on August 12. It is one of the first steps towards implementing sweeping new EU packaging rules that will gradually reshape packaging and waste management across the bloc through 2040.

PFAS is a group of chemical substances (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), also known as the Forever Chemicals, because they persist in the environment and do not break down easily. They have been widely used in paper and cardboard food packaging to make the materials resistant to water and grease.

These substances have raised health and environmental concerns, with some PFAS compounds suspected of being linked to an increased risk of cancer and adverse effects on fertility.

The new regulation aims to reduce the growing volume of packaging waste in the EU, which currently stands at around 177.8 kg per inhabitant annually.

According to data from the European Union's statistical office, Eurostat, packaging waste increased through 2021 before declining over the following two years.

The new EU rules seek to reduce packaging waste by 15% by 2040.

The regulation includes a series of measures that will gradually come into effect over the coming years.