What if the next industrial breakthrough did not come from an innovation… but from a regulatory constraint?
What if the next industrial breakthrough did not come from an innovation… but from a regulatory constraint? From August 2026, the European regulation on packaging and packaging waste (PPWR) will profoundly transform the rules of the game. Behind this technical acronym lies a major development: access to the European market will now be conditional on the ability of companies to demonstrate the conformity of their packaging, particularly in the face of chemical substances like PFAS, these increasingly regulated “eternal pollutants”. The European Commission estimates that packaging waste already represents nearly 190 kg per inhabitant per year in Europe, a constantly increasing volume, justifying regulatory tightening.
For large companies, the subject is already well identified, on the other hand, for many SMEs French industrial companies, it still remains largely underestimated.
The end of declarative compliance
Until now, packaging compliance was often based on declarative logic. Companies relied on supplier technical sheets, generic certificates or spot checks. This approach, although imperfect, was tolerated. With the PPWR, it becomes insufficient.
Companies will now have to precisely document the composition of their packaging, trace the origin of materials and substances, and be able to prove their compliance at any time, based on verifiable data. This development is part of a broader trend observed in Europe: according to a study by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), more than 60% of companies recognize gaps in their data on chemicals present in their products. In other words, it will no longer be enough to be compliant. It will be necessary to be able to demonstrate this, in a continuous and audited manner.
PFAS, revealing structural fragility
PFAS are now gaining attention. Used for their non-stick or waterproofing properties, they are present in many packaging, sometimes without the companies even knowing. But the real issue goes beyond these substances.
PFAS act as an indicator of a deeper fragility: the inability of many companies to accurately trace their supply chains. Between the multiplicity of suppliers, the lack of standardization of data and the opacity of certain formulations, traceability often remains partial. According to a Deloitte study on the supply chain, only 20-30% of companies have complete visibility beyond their Tier 1 suppliers.
Several European studies on chemical compliance and supply chain management show that many companies do not yet have complete visibility into the composition of their products. This situation is even more marked in SMEs, due to lack of dedicated resources.
In this context, the risk is therefore tangible. A company that cannot prove its compliance is exposed to blockages or even the impossibility of marketing certain products on the European market.
Packaging, a new strategic subject for SMEs
For manufacturers, this implies a profound transformation. It becomes necessary to rethink material choices, better integrate suppliers into processes and structure product data rigorously.
PPWR is not limited to PFAS. It also introduces new recyclability requirements, packaging reduction targets and obligations regarding the incorporation of recycled materials. Packaging thus leaves its traditional role, often confined to marketing or logisticsto become a strategic subject, at the intersection of compliance, data and business.
For manufacturers, this implies a profound transformation. It becomes necessary to rethink material choices, better integrate suppliers into processes and structure product data rigorously.
Faced with these requirements, large companies have a head start. They have already invested in dedicated compliance teams, digital tools and internal audit capabilities. Conversely, French industrial SMEs often find themselves in a more fragile position. They depend more on their suppliers, have fewer resources to structure their data and do not always have the necessary tools to manage these issues.
However, the regulatory framework does not make a distinction. Any company that places a product on the European market bears responsibility for its compliance, whether it designed the packaging itself or purchased it from a third party.
In this context, packaging becomes a major point of tension for SMEs. What yesterday was a matter of technical or economic arbitration today becomes a condition of market access.
From regulatory constraints to a competitiveness lever driven by data
The most profound change is undoubtedly here. Compliance is no longer a one-off exercise, limited to one audit annual or documentary update. It becomes a continuous process, driven by data. This requires having reliable and centralized information, structuring exchanges with partners and putting in place control mechanisms capable of monitoring developments in real time.
Without this transformation, companies are exposed to concrete risks, ranging from delays in marketing to non-compliance, or even marketing bans. According to a PwC studymore than 40% of European companies have already suffered commercial disruptions linked to regulatory compliance or supply chain issues.
However, should we see the PPWR only as a constraint? For some actors, this will undoubtedly be the case. But this development can also become a lever for competitiveness. Companies that can quickly and accurately demonstrate the conformity of their products will have a decisive advantage in an increasingly demanding environment.
Ultimately, control of product data and traceability of the supply chain could become as strategic as control of costs or quality.
PPWR and PFAS regulations are not just a technical topic. They mark a transition towards a new industrial standard, based on transparency, traceability and the ability to provide evidence.
For French SMEs, the question is no longer whether they are compliant. It is whether they will be able to prove it, quickly, precisely and on a large scale. Because tomorrow, that will no longer be an option. This will be a condition of market access.
