As EU Tightens Packaging Rules, Ministry of SMEs and Startups Hears Exporting SMEs' Concerns

Discuss Costs of Testing and Analysis, Other Challenges

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups will hear about the difficulties small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face in complying with the European Union’s (EU) Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and discuss ways to support them.

The ministry said on October 20 that it had held a meeting with SMEs on responding to the EU PPWR at Startup Venture Campus (SVC) Seoul in Mapo-gu, Seoul, chaired by Shim Jaeyoon, director general for global growth policy.

The meeting was organized to hear about the difficulties export-oriented SMEs are encountering on the ground following the implementation of the PPWR and to discuss government support measures. Around 10 people attended, including representatives of SMEs in beauty and food consumer goods and packaging, as well as relevant experts. The Korea Testing & Research Institute (KTR) shared key provisions of the PPWR and the current state of preparations.

The participating companies cited difficulties obtaining information from packaging suppliers about the presence of hazardous substances; the cost burden of testing and analysis for each product; and the burden of preparing technical documentation and EU declarations of conformity in English.

The PPWR applies to packaging for all products placed on the EU market, regardless of industry, and also covers companies based outside the EU. SMEs exporting to Europe must prepare technical documentation demonstrating that their packaging meets standards for hazardous substances such as heavy metals and PFAS, as well as an EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC). Requirements such as recycled content will also be phased in starting in 2030. However, SMEs with limited dedicated staff and expertise face a significant burden from testing and analysis costs and paperwork.

Since April 2026, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups has provided comprehensive support for all stages of PPWR compliance, including training and assessments, testing and evaluation, preparation of technical documentation, and appointment of EU representatives. It provides up to KRW 7 million per company, covering up to 70% of total costs, to 100 companies.

The ministry has also included the PPWR in the strategic support category of its Overseas Certification Acquisition Support Program, which covers 50% to 70% of costs for certification, testing, and consulting, up to KRW 100 million. SMEs that need to respond to the PPWR can apply on a rolling basis through the recruitment of participating companies for strategic support, which runs through November 30, 2026.

To continue gathering concerns from export-oriented SMEs and provide information, the ministry plans to hold PPWR training and consultation sessions in five regions across the country from November 16 to 25, 2026. The sessions will introduce key provisions of the PPWR and offer one-on-one consultations with experts.

"The PPWR is becoming more than just an environmental regulation; it is now a prerequisite for entering the European market," said Shim Jaeyoon, director general for global growth policy at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. "We will strengthen financial support, training, and consultations based on feedback from businesses to ensure that packaging regulations do not disrupt exports by our SMEs."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.