Substances of Concern Under PPWR Article 5
Article 5 includes requirements relating to substances present in packaging and packaging components, including:
- existing restrictions relating to lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium
- new restrictions on PFAS in food-contact packaging, applying from 12 August 2026
The PFAS requirements apply specifically to food-contact packaging and create an additional need to understand where PFAS may be present within the packaging system and whether analytical evidence is required.
Smithers provides targeted analysis for PFAS and other substances of concern, supported by specialist food-contact expertise.
Chemical Analysis to Support PPWR-Driven Packaging Change
PPWR is driving changes to materials, formulations, recycled content and packaging design. Smithers provides chemical analysis and material characterisation to help organisations evaluate these changes and understand how existing and proposed packaging materials compare. Our analytical support can include:
- Characterising recycled and alternative materials
- Comparing materials following formulation or supplier changes
- Investigating composition during Design for Recycling projects
- Evaluating material changes for food-contact applications
- Investigating incomplete or uncertain supplier information
- Generating analytical evidence to address PPWR documentation gaps
Testing can be applied across the packaging system, including primary materials, coatings, inks, adhesives, labels, closures and other components, depending on the technical question and evidence required.
Food Contact Packaging
For food-contact applications, changes to packaging materials or composition may require consideration of both chemical and food-contact requirements.
Smithers combines chemical analysis with specialist food-contact testing, NIAS assessment and regulatory guidance to help organisations evaluate material changes and generate evidence to support food-contact compliance and packaging decisions.
Related PPWR Testing Services
- PPWR Technical Documentation and Evidence Support
- Design for Recycling Assessments
- Recycled Content and Evidence of PCR
- Food Contact Packaging Assessment
- Packaging Performance Validation
- Compostable Packaging Assessment
Why Smithers?
Smithers brings together analytical chemistry, materials expertise, food-contact specialists and packaging testing capabilities. This multidisciplinary approach helps organisations investigate specific chemical questions while also understanding how material changes interact with wider packaging performance, compliance and development requirements.
Discuss Your Packaging Project
Whether you're investigating PFAS or other substances of concern, introducing new packaging materials or evaluating PPWR-driven changes, our experts can help identify the chemical analysis and material characterisation appropriate for your project.
