Bio-based plastic packaging

European Commission: Have your say – Plastic packaging containing biobased feedstock – EU rules

Update

The European Commission has opened a consultation on packaging made from bio-based plastics that come from biological materials, such as biomass, organic waste, or other by-products. These bio-based plastics can be biodegradable or not.

The Commission is asking for feedback in order to assess the status of technological developments for the production of bio-based plastic packaging, its environmental impact, how sustainable it is to make, and how it connects to recycling. Stakeholders (e.g. individuals, companies, organisations) can share evidence and their experiences, even if they are outside the European Union (EU).

This consultation forms part of the development of new rules under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation 2025/40 (PPWR) for all packaging used on products sold in the EU. The Commission is required to evaluate bio-based plastic packaging before February 2028 and could set new rules and targets for this type of packaging. It could also allow bio-based plastics as an alternative to recycled plastics where recycling technology is lacking.

Impacted Products

Agri-food and fisheries products in plastic packaging

What is changing?

The European Commission has opened a consultation to evaluate the way in which (food) plastic packaging is made from bio-based plastics. These are plastics made from biological resources (biomass feedstock, organic waste or by-products, etc.) and can be either biodegradable or non-biodegradable (PPWR 2025/40, Art. 3(1) (53)).

The Commission is assessing how advanced the technology for bio-based plastic packaging is, as well as its environmental impact. It is collecting information on the following aspects of bio-based feedstock:

• sustainability of sourcing and production
• environmental impacts
• how to boost market uptake
• relationship with recycled content and whether they can be recycled
• potential implications of applying obligatory requirements for bio-based plastic (food) packaging.

Interested stakeholders, including those based outside the European Union (EU), are invited to provide evidence and practical experience on bio-based plastics in (food) packaging, as well as their views on potential EU policy measures.

The following stakeholders are invited to comment: citizens, consumer organisations, environmental NGOs, public authorities, packaging manufacturers and converters, raw-material suppliers, bio-based plastics producers, recyclers, food contact packaging businesses, brand owners, retailers, and research organisations.

Why?

The Commission is required to review technological developments and the environmental performance of bio-based plastic packaging (PPWR, Art. 8; see New EU packaging rules explained). This public consultation will gather evidence and stakeholder views to inform that review and assess whether further EU action is necessary.

Based on the results of this evaluation, the Commission may decide to:

• set sustainability requirements for bio-based feedstock
• set targets for plastic packaging made from bio-based feedstock
• accept the use of bio-based plastic in order to meet the minimum targets for recycled content in plastic packaging by 2030 and 2040 (PPWR, Art. 7); this would be applied only if not enough processes have been authorised for the production of recycled plastic food packaging that is compliant with EU rules (Regulation 2022/1616); see Packaging and packaging waste consultation: minimum recycled plastic content.

Timeline

The consultation is open until 13 January 2027.

If new rules are to be set covering the use of bio-based plastics, these would be adopted between July and September 2027.

What are the major implications for exporting countries?

Packaged food products imported into the European Union must comply with EU packaging rules. Suppliers based outside the EU may be affected either directly or indirectly by the new rules under development.

New rules on the use of bio-based plastic packaging are likely to affect food operators exporting packaged foods to the EU, as well as non-EU packaging manufacturers.

This consultation is an important opportunity for operators to share their views and experiences as the new rules on bio-based plastic packaging are being developed. Feedback can be given to explain the challenges that they expect to face, and to suggest measures that could help non-EU operators meet the new requirements. Information provided through the consultation will help EU policy-makers develop relevant and informed measures.

Recommended Actions

All interested stakeholders are invited to give feedback by filling in the online questionnaire via the European Commission’s Have Your Say platform until 13 January 2027.

Stakeholders wishing to respond must be registered. Those who do not already have an account will first need to Create an EU login account, then register their organisation on the EU Transparency register.

The questionnaire is available in several official EU languages and responses can be submitted in any official EU language.

Stakeholders who cannot use the online questionnaire can email: ENV-BIOECONOMY-STRATEGY@ec.europa.eu.

Background

The EU aims to boost the use of sustainable alternatives to reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuel and reduce carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions (carbon footprint). These objectives are set in the European Commission’s Strategic Framework for a Competitive and Sustainable EU Bioeconomy, which aims to replace fossil fuel-based materials and products with renewable biological resources.

The Strategic Framework, launched in November 2025, focuses on four priorities:

• scaling up innovation and investment in biotechnology and biomanufacturing
• creating lead markets for bio-based products such as plastics, chemicals, textiles, and construction materials
• ensuring a sustainable biomass supply through resource efficiency, recycling, and the use of agricultural residues and organic waste
• strengthening global competitiveness through international partnerships and trade.

Plastic (packaging) can be produced from three main types of materials: virgin fossil fuel-based materials, recycled plastics, and biomass. The EU aims to reduce packaging waste, improve recyclability of packaging in the EU, and promote more circular use of resources, including using recycled and bio-based plastics.

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