Packaging regulations are evolving fast across Europe. From recycled content requirements to stricter rules on waste, claims, and traceability, compliance is no longer optional. We help retailers understand what matters, what’s changing, and how to make packaging choices that stay compliant without compromising brand experience.
Compliance starts at the design stage.
Compliance isn’t something you fix at the end. It starts with the materials you choose, the way packaging is designed, and how it will be used, collected, and recycled. Regulations are increasingly focused on the full lifecycle of packaging, and they impact everything from design and reporting to recycled content and waste responsibility. This page highlights the key regulations shaping packaging decisions today.
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Deforestation-free Regulation
The EUDR requires proof that certain commodities and derived products entering the EU are deforestation-free and traceable. It applies to materials such as wood and paper, and demands due diligence, geolocation traceability, and risk assessments. Non-compliance can lead to serious penalties.
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Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation
The PPWR sets the new standard for packaging across the EU. It focuses on reducing packaging waste and making sustainability measurable through requirements like recyclability targets, minimum recycled content, and in some cases reusability. It also introduces stronger registration and reporting obligations across the packaging chain.
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Extended Producer Responsibility
EPR means producers and importers are responsible for what happens to packaging at end-of-life. That includes financing and organising collection and recycling through approved systems. It pushes brands to design packaging smarter, because waste and recycling are now part of the responsibility, not an afterthought.
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Unfair Commercial Practices Directive
Sustainability claims are under stricter scrutiny. The UCPD protects consumers against misleading information, including vague or unsubstantiated environmental claims. That means packaging choices and marketing messages must match reality. Transparency and proof matter more than ever.
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Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation
The ESPR is a major EU regulation pushing products to be more durable, repairable, reusable, and recyclable. It expands ecodesign requirements across almost all physical products, and introduces rules like Digital Product Passports and restrictions on destroying unsold goods.
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Digital Product Passport
The Digital Product Passport adds transparency through a QR-code linked profile, showing information such as material composition, origin, and recycling guidance. It helps both consumers and businesses make better decisions and improves traceability across supply chains.
Stay ahead of regulations with confidence.
Packaging compliance can feel complex, especially across multiple countries and changing EU rules. If you want clarity on what applies to your packaging, materials, or reporting obligations, our team is here to help. Together we’ll make sure your packaging meets the right standards, now and next.
