Fact Check: EU Not Banning Bottled Water Multipacks August 12

Claims circulating widely on social media suggest that the European Union will ban traditional shrink-wrapped multipacks of bottled water starting August 12, 2026. These claims have been amplified by some political figures, including far-right MEP Virginie Joron, who cited the EU's new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).

However, a closer examination of the legislation reveals that the picture is more nuanced. The PPWR is part of a broader EU initiative to reduce packaging waste and enhance recyclability across the bloc, with the goal of ensuring all packaging is recyclable or reusable by 2030. While certain provisions do take effect on August 12, they do not introduce a ban on bottled water multipack rings or wrappings.

The initial measures primarily focus on introducing new limits on the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often called 'forever chemicals,' in food-contact packaging materials. These chemicals are under scrutiny due to their persistence in the environment. The regulation's wider objective is to curb the significant amount of packaging waste generated in the EU, which was 79.7 million tonnes in 2023, averaging 35.3kg per person.

Confusion arises from provisions targeting grouped plastic packaging. The regulation does impose restrictions on certain types of plastic shrink wrap used for bundling products, including some multipacks. Nevertheless, these rules specifically apply to plastic grouped packaging. Packaging made from other materials remains permissible. Crucially, the regulation includes exemptions for grouped packaging that is necessary for handling or transporting goods. Bottled water multipacks are anticipated to qualify for these exemptions because they are used for transporting relatively heavy loads safely. The European Commission is expected to release detailed implementation guidance by February 2027, which will clarify the specific grouped packaging formats affected by the restrictions and the exemptions that apply.