Behind the Packaging

Could you tell us about your role at BBC CELLPACK Packaging?

As Regulatory Affairs Manager, my role is to ensure that the packaging we supply meets current regulatory requirements, particularly those relating to the protection of public health and the environment.

In practical terms, I ensure that our products comply with the regulations in force in the relevant markets, primarily in Europe, and I draw up the necessary and mandatory declarations of conformity for our customers.

Why has regulatory affairs become so important in the packaging industry?

Regulations are becoming increasingly numerous and rigorous. With major pieces of legislation such as the PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation), the European Union is driving a significant transformation of the packaging sector.

Today, it is mandatory to be able to demonstrate the compliance of packaging placed on the market. For our clients, this is an essential guarantee: non-compliant packaging can have serious consequences, including preventing their products from being sold at all.

The new regulations also address ambitious environmental objectives, particularly in terms of waste reduction and resource conservation. Regulatory Affairs therefore plays an increasingly strategic role, both in anticipating developments and in supporting our clients with their projects.

What does a typical day look like for you?

There isn’t really a typical day: my tasks are varied and depend on the projects and requests from our clients.

A significant part of my work involves drawing up or updating compliance declarations, particularly when they are due to expire or as part of the development and validation of new packaging.

I also spend a lot of time monitoring regulatory developments. In particular, I monitor developments relating to the PPWR, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

Finally, I take part in various projects and draw on information shared by our partners and the trade organisations of which we are members. In particular, I am co-project lead on our internal initiative, MakCCing Durable.

In practical terms, how do you support customers in their flexible packaging projects?

My involvement often begins as early as the development phase. When our Product Development team designs new packaging, I check that it complies with regulations, particularly where specific requirements apply. If an issue holds up the project, my role is to find suitable solutions within the regulatory framework.

I also support our customers by answering their questions and helping them to understand their obligations. The support provided depends on the products in question and the structure of each company.

Compliance is a shared responsibility: we must ensure that our packaging complies with regulations, whilst our customers must ensure that their products and their market launch meet the requirements for which they are responsible. Effective collaboration between both sides is therefore essential.

What are the main regulatory developments you’re currently keeping an eye on?

The PPWR is now a major subject. This European regulation aims to bring about changes in packaging and the management of packaging waste, with stricter requirements regarding recyclability, the reduction of packaging and the use of recycled materials.

I am also monitoring developments relating to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which concerns, in particular, the management of packaging at the end of its life, as well as the EUDR, the European regulation designed to tackle deforestation and forest degradation.

These various pieces of legislation require constant monitoring in order to anticipate their consequences and prepare both our teams and our clients for the changes ahead.

How does the PPWR impact flexible packaging manufacturers and users?

The PPWR introduces new requirements that will gradually transform the sector, in particular with the objective of ensuring that the majority of packaging is recyclable.
The impact will vary depending on the solutions used. Some types of packaging, such as paper packaging or mono-material plastic structures, may already meet some recyclability targets, depending on the applicable criteria and the available recycling streams. Other structures will need to be adapted to meet the new requirements.

These changes will influence the way packaging is designed and produced. They will also require better consumer information, particularly regarding sorting and recycling, with guidance tailored to the requirements that will be defined.
For both manufacturers and brands, the challenge is therefore to anticipate these developments right from the packaging design stage in order to develop solutions that meet tomorrow’s regulatory requirements.

What’s new with the PPWR since this summer?

The PPWR became effective on 12 August 2026. Among the first significant changes are the restrictions on PFAS in packaging that comes into contact with food, as well as requirements relating to specific substances, notably heavy metals.

Further measures will be clarified and rolled out gradually, notably through supplementary legislation and regulations. These will cover, amongst other things, recyclability criteria, the incorporation of recycled materials into plastic packaging, and the reduction of packaging to the minimum necessary.

At BBC CELLPACK Packaging, packaging optimisation is already part of our process. The challenge now is to maintain this momentum whilst anticipating the new requirements and how they will be implemented.

In your view, what are the main challenges ahead for our sector?

The first challenge concerns packaging recyclability and the ability of collection, sorting and recycling networks to keep pace with developments. Designing recyclable packaging is an essential step, but the infrastructure must also be in place to sort and recycle it effectively.

This is prompting us to rethink some packaging designs and develop alternatives tailored to the new requirements. At BBC CELLPACK Packaging, we already offer recyclable solutions for our product ranges, enabling us to support our customers through this transition.

Another challenge relates to the increasing complexity of regulatory requirements. Requests for information and supporting documentation are on the rise, both from our customers and from us in relation to our suppliers. To draw up a reliable declaration of conformity, we need accurate and transparent information throughout the supply chain. The challenge is to remain responsive, to adapt constantly and to find the most appropriate solutions for our customers.

What advice would you give to a company that is currently developing new packaging?

My advice would be not to view packaging only in terms of material or design. Developing packaging involves taking numerous factors into account: regulatory requirements, the characteristics of the packaged product, technical constraints, machine testing, customer expectations and the specific features of the target market.

This is why it is essential to ensure that the various departments involved, particularly Product Development, Production, Procurement and Regulatory Affairs, work together. It is also necessary to anticipate regulatory changes so as not to develop a solution that would quickly become unsuitable for future requirements.

As consumers, we often see only the material, the printing and the packaged product. However, behind every piece of packaging lies a genuine team effort, in which every area of expertise counts towards ensuring the quality, technical feasibility and compliance of the final product.

I like to compare this process to a game of Tetris: each element must find its place and fit together with the others to result in a coherent and effective solution.