The 25 ppb limit for PFHxA takes effect in European food-contact paper and cardboard

The European Union has officially crossed a regulatory Rubicon for the fiber-based packaging sector. Under Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/2462, the long-anticipated restrictions on undecafluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) and its related substances are now a reality for food-contact paper and cardboard.

Strict thresholds for homogeneous materials

Forget the broad, ambiguous discussions about "forever chemicals." This is about precise compliance. As of October 10, 2026, manufacturers, converters, and importers can no longer place paper and board on the EU market if it contains 25 parts per billion (ppb) or more of PFHxA and its salts, or 1,000 ppb for PFHxA-related substances, measured in homogeneous material. The regulation explicitly targets "paper and cardboard used as food contact materials," leaving no gray area for the industry.

Impact on barrier formulations and testing

The impact hits the fast-food and bakery segments hardest. Grease-resistant papers, burger wraps, bakery packaging, baking papers, and pizza boxes rely heavily on barrier treatments to keep moisture and fats at bay. Converters are now forced to validate their alternative barrier formulations—such as advanced aqueous coatings or mechanical densification—against these strict thresholds. Chemical suppliers have had a 24-month transition period since the regulation's publication in September 2024, but the testing burden now falls squarely on the packaging producers to prove compliance at the parts-per-billion level.

Supply chain auditing

This shift requires rigorous supply chain auditing. European mills and converters must ensure that imported pulps or recycled fibers do not inadvertently carry PFHxA precursors that could degrade into restricted substances. The analytical testing bottleneck is real, as labs across Europe scale up to meet the demand for homogeneous material testing under REACH Annex XVII.

The enforcement of these PFHxA limits is a necessary catalyst that will ultimately drive the European paper industry toward safer, more innovative barrier technologies, cementing its leadership in sustainable packaging. Are your current barrier suppliers providing the analytical transparency needed to guarantee compliance under these new REACH thresholds? Follow The Paper for daily news, market signals and key updates from the global paper, corrugated and packaging industry. — Sigue toda la actualidad del sector en www.thepaper.ai