Tunisian seafood exporters face EU packaging rule pressure

Tunisian companies exporting fish and aquaculture products to the European Union face a looming deadline to comply with new EU packaging regulations. The general application of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) begins on August 12, 2026, prompting an urgent call from Tunisia's Directorate General of Veterinary Services (DGSV) for businesses to verify their packaging's conformity.

The PPWR, regulation (EU) 2025/40, seeks to standardize and enhance packaging rules across the EU, covering all packaging types and materials. It introduces stricter requirements for packaging manufacturing, composition, recyclability, reuse, and end-of-life management. While the regulation entered into force in February 2025, its full implementation is set for August 2026, replacing previous directives.

A key concern for Tunisian exporters is the regulation's specific provisions for food-contact packaging. From August 12, 2026, restrictions will be placed on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), with precise thresholds beyond which such packaging cannot be marketed in the EU. Companies are advised to promptly engage with their packaging suppliers to ensure compliance with these strengthened environmental and composition standards.