What Irish Deli/Takeaways Need to Know About PFAS Packaging Rules
PFAS chemicals, often referred to as “forever chemicals”, are becoming a major focus within new EU packaging regulations, particularly for food-contact packaging.
From August 2026, restrictions under the EU Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) will begin applying to certain food-contact packaging containing PFAS substances above specific thresholds.
For many takeaway businesses, cafés, delis, and food operators, the challenge is not necessarily understanding the chemistry behind PFAS. The real challenge is understanding whether the packaging currently being sourced is supported by appropriate supplier declarations and technical documentation.
Many SMEs currently rely on, generic supplier assurance, broad “food safe” statements, or outdated packaging declarations.
In practice, businesses should begin reviewing:
supplier declarations,
food-contact compliance statements,
packaging specifications,
and available PFAS-related documentation well before 2026.
This is particularly important where packaging is, imported, own-branded, sourced from outside the EU, or purchased through multiple distributors.
At TrailZero, we help Irish SMEs review packaging documentation, identify potential gaps, and simplify packaging compliance support without unnecessary complexity.
Who Is Responsible for PPWR Compliance in Ireland?
One of the biggest misunderstandings around the new EU Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is where responsibility actually sits within the supply chain.
Many businesses assume responsibility always rests with the packaging supplier. In reality, responsibilities can vary depending on:
where packaging is sourced,
whether products are imported,
whether packaging carries your own brand,
and how your business operates within the supply chain.
For example:
importing packaging from outside the EU can create importer obligations,
own-brand packaging can increase conformity responsibilities,
and businesses placing packaging on the Irish market may also have producer obligations under packaging waste rules.
This does not necessarily mean SMEs suddenly become “manufacturers” in the traditional sense. However, it does mean businesses should have greater visibility over, supplier declarations, packaging conformity documentation, material composition, and packaging traceability.
For many SMEs, the biggest risk is not intentional non-compliance, it is simply relying on incomplete or unclear supplier documentation.
TrailZero supports Irish SMEs with practical packaging documentation reviews and supplier conformity support designed to simplify evolving packaging requirements.
Is Your Business Paying to Ship Empty Space?
For many SMEs, packaging is simply viewed as a necessary operational cost. But with rising courier charges, material costs, and growing pressure around packaging waste, businesses are beginning to look more closely at how efficiently products are actually being packed and shipped.
One of the most common issues we see is oversized packaging.
In reality, this can mean:
larger courier volumetric charges,
unnecessary packaging spend,
higher storage costs,
increased transport emissions,
and excess void fill materials such as bubble wrap, paper fill, or air cushions.
Under the EU Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), packaging minimisation requirements will become an increasingly important focus over the coming years, particularly for e-commerce and transport packaging.
For SMEs, however, the immediate opportunity is often operational rather than regulatory. Reducing packaging waste can directly reduce shipping and material costs.
Simple packaging reviews can sometimes identify opportunities to:
reduce carton sizes,
standardize packaging formats,
reduce filler materials,
improve pallet efficiency,
and lower overall packaging spend.
TrailZero supports SMEs with practical packaging efficiency reviews designed to identify waste reduction opportunities while helping businesses prepare for evolving packaging expectations.
What Is “Green Finance” And Why Are SMEs Being Asked About Sustainability
Its likely many SMEs are surprised when lenders, investors, or larger customers begin asking questions around sustainability, emissions, packaging, or environmental transition planning.
But across Europe, financial institutions are increasingly integrating sustainability-related considerations into lending and risk frameworks.
In practice, this does not mean every SME suddenly needs a full ESG department or a lengthy sustainability report. More often, businesses are being asked for practical information such as:
energy usage,
emissions data,
packaging reduction plans,
operational efficiency measures,
or environmental improvement initiatives.
For businesses seeking certain sustainability-linked finance products, lenders may also look for evidence that the business has considered how it plans to improve operational efficiency or reduce environmental impacts over time.
This is where transition planning becomes increasingly relevant for SMEs.
A transition plan does not need to be overly complex. In many cases, it simply involves documenting:
current operational impacts,
realistic improvement opportunities,
timelines,
and practical actions the business intends to take.
Examples may include:
reducing packaging waste,
improving energy efficiency,
reducing fuel usage,
or transitioning toward more recyclable packaging formats.
TrailZero supports SMEs with practical sustainability data gathering, packaging reviews, and operational transition planning designed to help businesses respond to evolving lender and supply-chain expectations.
Can Your Business Rely on Supplier PFAS Statements Alone?
As businesses begin reviewing packaging ahead of new EU packaging rules, many are discovering that supplier statements can vary significantly in quality and detail.
Statements such as
“PFAS not intentionally added”,
“Complies with applicable regulations”, or
“Food safe”,
may not always provide the level of technical clarity businesses believe they do.
In practice, packaging documentation may differ depending on, material type, supplier location, food-contact use, and how the packaging is placed on the market.
For SMEs, the challenge is often less about regulation itself and more about understanding:
whether documentation is current,
whether declarations relate to the correct packaging SKU,
whether supplier information is sufficiently detailed,
and whether technical records are organized and traceable.
This becomes increasingly important for businesses, importing packaging, using own-brand packaging, or supplying into larger retail or food-service supply chains.
TrailZero helps SMEs review supplier packaging documentation, identify potential gaps, and maintain practical packaging conformity records as regulatory expectations continue to evolve.
Why More SMEs Are Being Asked for Carbon Footprint Information
For many SMEs, carbon reporting has traditionally felt like something aimed at large corporates. But increasingly, smaller businesses are now being asked questions around emissions and sustainability by, larger customers, procurement teams, lenders, and supply chains.
In many cases, businesses are not being asked for highly complex climate modelling. Instead, they are being asked for practical information around:
energy usage,
fuel consumption,
operational emissions,
and environmental improvement plans.
This is where carbon footprinting is becoming more relevant for SMEs.
Using recognized methodologies such as the GHG Protocol, businesses can begin measuring operational emissions associated with, electricity, heating, fuel usage, and business transport activities.
For SMEs, the value is not so much to be found in the reporting itself. Carbon footprint analysis can help identify:
energy inefficiencies,
operational waste,
rising fuel exposure,
and opportunities for cost reduction.
As carbon-related reporting expectations continue to increase across supply chains and financial institutions, many SMEs are beginning to recognize the importance of having at least a basic understanding of their operational footprint.
TrailZero helps SMEs develop practical Scope 1 & 2 carbon footprint assessments using recognized Irish emissions factors and operational data already available within the business.
