Ghana’s agri-food exporters face urgent EU packaging compliance challenges ahead of 2026 Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations enforcement

A study by Farrelly Mitchell Business Consultants Limited has revealed that Ghana’s agri-food exporters face urgent compliance challenges as the European Union (EU) prepares to enforce its new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations (PPWR), alongside updated rules on Bisphenol A (BPA), set to take effect from July 20, 2026. Failure to meet the requirements, the study warns, could result in Ghanaian exporters losing access to the lucrative European market.

The study, commissioned by COLEAD (formerly COLEACP) using Ghana as a case study, examined the country’s packaging industry, regulatory frameworks, and preparedness of public and private sector actors. It found low awareness and limited readiness across key stakeholders, including regulators, packaging manufacturers, and exporters.

“While the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has some familiarity with aspects of the PPWR, it is yet to establish the regulatory framework or laboratory capacity required for BPA testing and compliance,” the report noted. Similarly, the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry (MoTAI) and industry actors have yet to adapt fully to the EU’s new requirements.

Although some local companies have begun using recyclable materials or conducting limited BPA testing, these efforts are fragmented and often fall short of EU standards. Systems for recyclability testing, traceability documentation, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) remain weak. Ghana’s EPR policy, while drafted, has not been finalised or fully implemented.

Despite the gaps, the study highlighted a strong interest among local firms to innovate and comply, provided technical and financial support is available. Major barriers include high compliance costs, misalignment between local and EU regulations, and limited access to EU-compliant packaging materials.

The report recommends raising awareness among stakeholders, improving recyclability, reusability, and composability of packaging, strengthening traceability and labelling systems, enhancing chemical testing capacity, and finalising the national EPR framework. It also urged the development of a national roadmap to align local packaging standards with EU regulations, scaling up testing capabilities, and mobilising support for SMEs.

Without swift and coordinated action, the study concluded, Ghana’s agri-food exporters risk losing competitiveness in the EU market when the PPWR and BPA regulations come into force