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EU water pack ban from August? An MEP's claim is inaccurate
Herz — World Desk · · 30s summary · 2 min read
The essentials
On July 1, 2026, French MEP Virginie Joron posted on X claiming that water pack handles would be banned across the EU from August 12, 2026. This claim is inaccurate. While the European Union's PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation) does come into effect on that date, water pack handles benefit from an explicit exemption in the regulation. The PPWR actually targets the plastic film wrapping around water packs, not the handles themselves. Joron's post, featuring an AI-generated image, exceeded 200,000 views. The European Commission has until February 12, 2027 to finalize the list of banned materials and exemptions.
- MEP Virginie Joron claimed on July 1, 2026 that water pack handles would be banned in the EU from August 12
- This claim is inaccurate: the PPWR explicitly exempts water pack handles
- The PPWR targets plastic film wrapping around water packs, not the handles
- Her post with an AI-generated image reached over 200,000 views
- The Commission has until February 12, 2027 to finalize the exemption list
What we know
On July 1, 2026, Virginie Joron, an MEP from France's Rassemblement National (RN), posted on X claiming that water pack handles would be banned across EU member states starting August 12, 2026.
Her post included an AI-generated image showing a man with his arms full of water bottles, accompanied by the message: "Thank you Brussels for the back pain." The post exceeded 200,000 views.
This claim is inaccurate, according to France Info. The European PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation), which governs the use of plastic packaging across EU member states, was published in the EU Official Journal on January 22, 2025 and does come into effect on August 12, 2026. However, water pack handles with carrying straps are explicitly exempted from this regulation.
What the PPWR actually targets
The PPWR primarily targets the plastic film wrap surrounding water packs, deemed too polluting—not the carrying handles themselves.
The European Commission has until February 12, 2027 to refine the list of prohibited materials and packaging, as well as the exemptions provided for in the regulation.
Timeline
- January 22, 2025The PPWR regulation is published in the EU Official Journal.
- July 1, 2026Virginie Joron posts on X claiming water packs will be banned in the EU. The post surpasses 200,000 views.
- August 12, 2026The PPWR regulation enters into force across the EU.
- February 12, 2027Deadline for the European Commission to clarify the list of prohibited materials and exemptions.
Expert reaction
a textbook case of misinformation
— Yves Bertoncini, European affairs consultant, on Virginie Joron's post
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The illustrations in this article are generated by artificial intelligence.
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