Packaging for goods, including food, circulating in the EU market is required to have a certain percentage of recycled plastic content.

This is one of Europe's new regulations aimed at protecting the environment and human health by minimizing excess packaging, promoting reuse and recycling, and reducing the use of virgin materials.

The new regulations apply to all types of packaging placed on the EU market, including packaging in direct contact with food, primary packaging, secondary packaging, and transport packaging. This means that packaging commonly used in seafood exports such as plastic bags, plastic trays, boxes, cartons, plastic pallets, wrapping film, etc., are all subject to these regulations. By August 12, 2028 at the latest, all packaging must be labeled with waste classification according to the EU's unified standards to guide EU consumers in waste sorting.

The EU is one of the main markets for Vietnamese agricultural and aquatic products. Therefore, according to the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Processing and Export (VASEP), exporting businesses need to monitor, understand, and comply with these regulations.

One of the most pressing changes directly impacting the food and seafood industry is the tightening of regulations on "Substances of Concern" (SoC) in packaging. Starting August 12th of this year, all packaging must comply with new SoC limits. This new packaging regulation could become a significant technical barrier to seafood exports, requiring businesses to proactively adapt early to maintain market access. Early preparation will help businesses turn this green barrier into a competitive advantage in the EU market.

Source: VTV
 

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