Regulatory & Policy October 28, 2026
If your perfume, cosmetics, or spirits packaging is made of crystal glass, the EU has set an end date for its lead. The PPWR caps the sum of lead, cadmium, mercury, and hexavalent chromium in packaging at 100 mg/kg (Art. 5(4)), and unlike the old Directive it carries no general exemption for lead crystal. Commission Delegated Decision (EU) 2026/1948, published on October 28, 2026 and in force from the next day, lets crystal glass packaging exceed that cap until December 31, 2029, on conditions. The packaging may be manufactured only until December 31, 2028, and may then be finished, filled, and placed on the market until December 31, 2029. It must have a dealkalization treatment or an equivalent barrier that limits the release of lead into the contents, and a permanent mark that identifies the crystal glass producer. Whoever places the product on the market must tell end users that the packaging can be returned for recycling free of charge, and returned packaging goes back to the producer named on the mark. If you buy crystal glass packaging, confirm that your supplier meets these conditions, and plan for lead-free glass for anything made after 2028 (Decision 2026/1948, Art. 1, inserting Arts. 5a to 5c into Decision 2001/171/EC; EUR-Lex).
This entry is part of the PPWR Atlas update log. See the week of October 26, 2026 or the full update archive.