Monday, 12 October 2026 | 17:00
ASDA Conference Room, 37 Arkadias Street, Peristeri

The Development Association of Western Athens (ASDA) held a thematic workshop to prepare participants for the first business mission organised under the project “Intermunicipal Actions to Support the Internationalisation of Businesses in Western Athens” to the international food technology exhibition CIBUS TEC 2026 (Parma, Italy, 27–30 October 2026).

Participation in the workshop is a prerequisite for joining the business mission, ensuring that each participating company attends the exhibition with clearly defined objectives, a structured schedule and sufficient knowledge of the regulatory framework governing its target markets.

The workshop was structured around two complementary thematic areas.

Part A – The Business Mission

The workshop introduced CIBUS TEC 2026 and the opportunities it offers to businesses operating across the agri-food value chain. The presentation covered the exhibition’s main thematic areas (food processing, packaging, automation, digital solutions, traceability and laboratory testing), live demonstrations of production lines, the programme of industry-specific conferences and opportunities for business meetings.

The session also addressed the organisation of the business mission, the operation of the Western Athens joint exhibition stand (G055, Hall 6), the preparation of company presentation materials, the scheduling of business meetings and the follow-up of business contacts after the exhibition.

Part B – Export Regulatory Framework 2026–2027

The second part focused on recent and upcoming regulatory developments affecting the production and marketing of food and beverages in European and international markets, covering five key thematic areas:

• Packaging and Food Contact Materials: Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on Packaging and Packaging Waste (PPWR), restrictions on Bisphenol A (Regulation 2024/3190), requirements for plastic food contact materials and Declarations of Compliance.
• Food Safety: New criteria for Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods (Regulation 2024/2895) and limits for 3-MCPD and glycidyl esters (Regulation 2026/1825).
• Food Labelling and Claims: Directive (EU) 2024/1438 on honey, jams and fruit juices, rules on environmental claims (Directive (EU) 2024/825), mandatory labelling information and allergen declarations.
• Traceability and Supply Chain: Due diligence obligations under the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR, Regulation (EU) 2023/1115).
• Sector-Specific Focus on Wine: Ingredient lists, nutrition declarations and electronic labelling requirements (Regulation (EU) 2021/2117).

The workshop was primarily addressed to businesses participating in the mission, while also welcoming other export-oriented businesses in Western Athens operating in the agri-food sector.

The workshop’s training materials are available below. The following articles provide a more detailed overview of the key topics covered under the regulatory framework.